22 Jul 2013

Vietnamese asylum seekers sent home by Australia

3:47 pm on 22 July 2013

A group of Vietnamese asylum seekers sent by Australia to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have been returned to Vietnam by Australian immigration officials.

Australia's Immigration Department says it sent them home for what it says is the group's failure to engage Canberra's protection obligations.

The move comes as Australia announced tough new conditions would be imposed on any asylum seekers trying to reach Australia by boat.

It announced last week that such people would be transferred to PNG, where they would be settled if they are recognised as refugees.

The new policy rules out any chance of settlement in Australia.

The Australian government says the rules have now changed and paying a people smuggler is not a ticket to Australia.