ISLAMABAD – More than 200 Commonwealth Games athletes and officialsincluding few from Pakistan and India remain in Australia after applyingfor refugee visas, with another 50 staying in the country illegally. Thefigures were revealed by Immigration Department officials to a Senatecommittee hearing on Monday night, reports Xinhua news agency.
A total of 8,103 athletes, media representatives and officials arrived inAustralia on temporary visas for the Gold Coast event which concluded onApril 15, with 7,848 returning home after their stay expired last week,meaning 255 stayed in the country. Of those who have remained in Australia,205 were legally in the community on bridging visas as they await approvalto stay on a permanent basis. Border Force officials have commenced anationwide search for the other 50 who have overstayed their visas.
The majority of foreigners seeking asylum in Australia were from war-tornAfrican nations such as Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria. However, somemembers of the Indian and Pakistani teams have also remained in Australia.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs deputy secretary, Malisa Golightly,told parliament on Monday night that most of the remaining participants”have applied for protection visas”.
“Anybody that is onshore can apply for protection legally once they arehere, but of course then they are considered against … the criteria forthat visa,” she said.
The temporary protection visas allow the Commonwealth Games participants tostay in Australia for up to three years and receive welfare benefits. PeterDutton, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, said he was disappointed withthe number of people who have stayed illegally as they had been welcomed toAustralia “in good faith”.
“Australians hate being taken for a ride by freeloaders,” Dutton toldNewscorp Australia on Monday night.
“Australia is now obliged under international law to consider theseprotection visa applications.”