Bridging visa to where?

Minister Vanstone says the 45-day rule is justified because "generally, genuine asylum seekers apply for a protection visa soon after arrival". This is at odds with ASP research that found several legitimate reasons for asylum seekers failing to lodge their applications within the 45-day period: misinformation from well-meaning family or community members; insufficient information or the inability to access representation; migration agents failing to lodge on time; and a lack of English or understanding of legal or immigration procedures.

Only thanks to the good work of various churches, charities and individuals, are asylum seekers in this situation able to survive. These good Samaritans have been subsidising the Howard Government's moral deficiencies since 1997.

The Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project, which helps more than 400 asylum seekers across Melbourne, is one such organisation. Its Basic Living Assistance Program provides these asylum seekers with an average of $30 per person per week. In addition, it provides housing assistance and monetary assistance for emergencies, as well as referrals to health, education and legal services.

The project's total emergency relief and housing budget is currently $30,000 per month. Besides a $40,000 grant from the Ross Trust and Sisters of Charity (for a total of three years) and $1,000 a month from St Marks Community Centre, there are no regular funds going to the Basic Living Assistance Program.

It is time for the government to lift the burden on these charities and free asylum seekers on BVEs from this limbo.

Members of the Coalition, like the Republicans in the US, are now trying to stake a claim as the political party naturally aligned with God. Peter Costello has shamelessly hinted that somehow the moral and political philosophy of the Coalition is more in tune with Christianity than Labor's, but no one will be manipulated by such a campaign if the Coalition continues to ignore what is at the heart of Jesus' teachings: compassion.

It is yet to be seen if asylum seekers released from detention as a result of recent amendments to the Migration Act will face the same restrictions. Their rights are not defined; instead, according to the prime minister's media release, it will be up to the minister to "set conditions" and specify "individual circumstances". Despite his best intentions, it was irresponsible of Petro Georgiou to settle on a deal that has the potential to leave families released from detention worse off.

Denying asylum seekers the right to participate in the Australian economy, and thus denying them the right to support themselves and their families, is cruel. And at a time when a skills crisis is threatening to cripple Australia, it is illogical to ignore the valuable contribution they have to make.

When Parliament next resumes I intend to introduce a notice of motion calling on the Howard Government to abolish the 45-day rule and allow asylum seekers on bridging visas E work rights and access to Medicare.

Economic responsibility and compassion are not mutually exclusive. A government can, and should, exercise both.