Repatriation flights considered for Afghan translators who worked with Australian troops
By political reporter Jane Norman
Posted Wed 21 Jul 2021
Australia is considering sending repatriation flights to Afghanistan to evacuate Afghan nationals who worked closely with Australian forces during the decades-long conflict.\
Key points:
Scott Morrison says he thinks Australians would support the repatriation flights
252 Afghan nationals and their family members have been flown to Australia
The Prime Minister says Australian officials will return to Afghanistan when it is safe to do so
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also confirmed the government is looking to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Kabul, as revealed by the ABC, less than a month after abandoning its embassy.
Since the decision was made to withdraw from Afghanistan, local translators reported they had become the target of fresh Taliban death threats for helping Australia, re-igniting calls for the government to fast-track protection visas for hundreds of staff.
Around 300 Afghan nationals and family members have so far been granted safe haven, and 252 of them have been flown to Australia.
Australia considering future return to Afghanistan
The ABC has been told the government is considering re-establishing a presence in Afghanistan to monitor the resurgence of the Taliban.Read more
Mr Morrison said the government was assessing applications with "great urgency" and "making steady progress" but acknowledged it was a complex multi-agency process.
"I look forward to having more to say on that in the weeks ahead but we are making steady progress," he said.
"If we have to have facilitated commercial flights to bring them to Australia, I know that Australians would support that."
Repatriation flights would help speed up the process, given commercial options are now limited by National Cabinet's decision to halve the cap on international arrivals.
Presence in Kabul being considered
Australia has shuttered its embassy in Kabul and on June 18 quietly withdrew all remaining diplomats, military and intelligence officers.
Less than a month later, Mr Morrison has confirmed Australia is considering re-establishing a presence in Afghanistan, revealing he'd discussed the issue with other world leaders at the recent G7 summit.
"Were we in a position to safely have Australians in Afghanistan, and providing support to our efforts there, we would," he said.
"It is a matter I have discussed with other leaders, particularly when I was at the G7."
A spokesman for Marise Payne said the government was continuing to engage with the Afghanistan government.(ABC News: Tamara Penniket)
A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said Australia's diplomatic arrangements in Afghanistan "were always expected to be temporary, with the intention of resuming a permanent presence once circumstances permit".
"That remains our position. We continue to engage closely with partners, including the Afghanistan government and coalition member countries.
"We will not comment on intelligence matters."
Scott Morrison says he thinks Australians would support the repatriation flights
252 Afghan nationals and their family members have been flown to Australia
The Prime Minister says Australian officials will return to Afghanistan when it is safe to do so
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also confirmed the government is looking to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Kabul, as revealed by the ABC, less than a month after abandoning its embassy.
Since the decision was made to withdraw from Afghanistan, local translators reported they had become the target of fresh Taliban death threats for helping Australia, re-igniting calls for the government to fast-track protection visas for hundreds of staff.
Around 300 Afghan nationals and family members have so far been granted safe haven, and 252 of them have been flown to Australia.
Australia considering future return to Afghanistan
The ABC has been told the government is considering re-establishing a presence in Afghanistan to monitor the resurgence of the Taliban.Read more
Mr Morrison said the government was assessing applications with "great urgency" and "making steady progress" but acknowledged it was a complex multi-agency process.
"I look forward to having more to say on that in the weeks ahead but we are making steady progress," he said.
"If we have to have facilitated commercial flights to bring them to Australia, I know that Australians would support that."
Repatriation flights would help speed up the process, given commercial options are now limited by National Cabinet's decision to halve the cap on international arrivals.
Presence in Kabul being considered
Australia has shuttered its embassy in Kabul and on June 18 quietly withdrew all remaining diplomats, military and intelligence officers.
Less than a month later, Mr Morrison has confirmed Australia is considering re-establishing a presence in Afghanistan, revealing he'd discussed the issue with other world leaders at the recent G7 summit.
"Were we in a position to safely have Australians in Afghanistan, and providing support to our efforts there, we would," he said.
"It is a matter I have discussed with other leaders, particularly when I was at the G7."
A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said Australia's diplomatic arrangements in Afghanistan "were always expected to be temporary, with the intention of resuming a permanent presence once circumstances permit".
"That remains our position. We continue to engage closely with partners, including the Afghanistan government and coalition member countries.
"We will not comment on intelligence matters."
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