Sydney, Aug. 23 (ANI): Australia will add an extra 6000 refugees every year, which is the biggest increase in the country's humanitarian program in 30 years.
The federal government confirmed that it will increase the refugee population from 13,750 at present to 20,000 in the current financial year with a budget of 150 million dollars.
According to news.com.au, Australia will focus on helping people from troubled countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said he was proud of the boost, which he has long advocated.
"It will mean that Australia becomes the second largest source of resettlement for UNHCR-referred refugees in the world, after only the United States," the report quoted Bowen, as saying.
The increase in the refugees number was a key recommendation of former defence chief Angus Houston's expert panel, which helped break a parliamentary deadlock on asylum policy last week, the report said.
The Australian Government will resettle an additional 400 refugees from Indonesia as an immediate priority, the report said.
According to the report, opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison quickly criticised the intake increase in refugees.
"The decision to spend another $1.3 billion on taking more refugees follows existing budget blowouts on Labor's failed asylum policies of $4.7 billion," he said. (ANI)
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