Gillard proceeds with Malaysia processing center
Plans to establish a regional processing center in Malaysia for asylum seeker will be carried out by the federal government despite condemnations from the Greens, conveys Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Gillard stands firm on the issue in the face of a motion condemning the deal in the House of Representatives moved by Greens MP Adam Bandt on Monday.
Big Pond News accounted that Gillard told reporters at Gordon, "Now, I understand people in the parliament have different views but I am determined as prime minister to strike this arrangement with Malaysia. It's an innovative approach and part of a regional solution."
With the vote of the coalition and independent MPs Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter and Andrew Wilkie, this motion of the Greens could succeed in the lower house.
Moreover, an approved motion in the lower house would also have a chance of passing in the Senate where the Greens, who will hold the balance of power in the upper house from July, could vote with the coalition and cross-bench MPs.