Opposition leader Tony Abbott gets a hug from Flynn (5) at St Pius X School at Windsor Gardens in Adelaide yesterday. Picture: Kelly Barnes Source: The Daily Telegraph ONE thousand vulnerable women would be guaranteed a refugee place in Australia every year under a Coalition Government.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has made the announcement today to coincide with International Women's Day.
The number of Women at Risk visas being issued has been falling for the past six years with only 759 visas issued last year compared to 995 in 2005.
"Women at risk and their dependents waiting in camps and other desperate places offshore are among the most vulnerable of all who seek a better life in Australia,'' Mr Abbott said.
"They have neither the means nor the opportunity to escape their circumstances. This group will be given a very high priority by a Coalition government in Australia's refugee program.''
Mr Abbott claimed the increase in boat arrivals had seen fewer places made available to women at risk in overseas camps.
He also said he would boost the number of humanitarian places available for offshore applicants to 11,000, up from around 9000 currently, as a deterrent to asylum seekers who come by boat.
Under current guidelines, a female is considered a woman at risk if she is not able to reside in her country of origin, is subject to persecution, recognised as vulnerable by the UNHCR, does not have the protection of a male relative and could be victimised because of her gender.
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