“If Australia wanted to deter people from coming by boat to seek asylum, it had to be promising them that what they would meet in Australia would be worse than the situation they were in.’ Photograph: Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket/Getty Images
It was reported in September that Priti Patel, the UK home secretary, was considering offshore processing for asylum seekers along the lines of the “Australian model”. The House of Commons is conducting an inquiry into channel crossings, migration and asylum-seeker routes and this is an edited version of Madeline Gleeson’s response when asked about this proposal.
It is deeply concerning that any country would consider trying to replicate what Australia has done in terms of offshore processing.