Australia to offer refugee visas to Iraqi Christians and Yazidis

Updated

The Federal Government has opened its humanitarian refugee program to Iraqi Christians and Yazidis in response to the crisis in Iraq.

Under Australia's annual program, there are 13,750 places, but more than 4,000 visas are set aside to refugees who are "most in need of resettlement" due to desperate circumstances.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says the Federal Government is "deeply concerned" by the ongoing crisis in Iraq and has now listed Iraqi Christians and Yazidis as eligible for Special Humanitarian Visas.

A spokeswoman says more than 1,000 places were provided last year to to people and families affected by the Syrian conflict.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says there is a humanitarian crisis and Australia needs to do its part.

"If we do not act now then it will be genocide on the scale that we haven't seen in the world for a long period of time. It is always the case that evil has its way when good people do nothing," he told ABC NewsRadio.

"We have to stop the systemic slaughter of people wherever it might be in the world."

Labor's Immigration spokesman Richard Marles has welcomed the inclusion of Syrian and Iraqi refugees fleeing Islamic State militants.

However, Mr Marles says the 13,750 places in Australia's annual humanitarian intake is too low and it should be returned to Labor's target of 20,000.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young wants an additional 5,000 humanitarian places for Iraq introduced immediately.

"We need to be doing everything we can to help in the humanitarian effort. Those who are facing desperate and urgent persecution in Iraq and of course Syria," she said.

"This is doable. It is right thing to do and it makes sense."

Meanwhile Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed Australian forces have made their first air drop to Iraq's troubled Mount Sinjar region.

A statement from Mr Abbott's office says he visited the Australian base in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday night to witness personnel preparing for the mission.

An RAAF C-130J Hercules delivered 10 pallets of high energy biscuits and bottled water - enough for 3,700 people for 24 hours, according to the Prime Minister.

"Initial reports are that the drop was conducted successfully and the aircraft is returning to base," Mr Abbott said in the statement.

"The aid drops will continue until the security of the Yazidi civilians is assured and they can safely move from Mount Sinjar."

Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, refugees, federal-government, immigration, community-and-society, australia, iraq

First posted