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Expecting political asylum applications from Olympic participants
[Subheading:] Submission No. 398 – Political Asylum in Australia
Cabinet approved of the principle that political asylum and refuge should be available in appropriate instances to various categories of aliens namely Olympic Games visitors, members of visiting trade and other delegations, members of diplomatic and consular missions in Australia, certain other defectors and Asian leaders. These categories are more fully described in the submission.
Cabinet agreed with the procedures outlined in the submission and accepted the principle that some financial responsibility (as described in the submission) would be involved.
It noted that the Director-General of Security with the assistance of a Screening Committee comprising representatives of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Department of External Affairs and the Department of Immigration would handle applications for political asylum or refuge from Olympic Games visitors, members of visiting trade and other delegations, members of diplomatic and consular missions in Australia and the other defectors referred to.
It approved the lines of procedure set out in a letter dated 10th October, 1956, from the Director-General of Security to the Prime Minister.
It noted that the Department of External Affairs would handle applications for political asylum or refuge by Asian leaders consulting the Department of Immigration and A.S.I.O wherever necessary.
It agreed that asylum and refuge granted to Asians in whatever category should not automatically confer the right of permanent residence in Australia but that asylum and refuge should be controlled by the grant of certificates of exemption, renewable if and when necessary.
Cabinet emphasised the need for flexibility in the handling of these matters and the need to keep in touch with ministers and observed that as a general rule any public references to specific cases which might arise should treat them as unexciting incidents which were bound to occur.
