MEMBER for Mallee Andrew Broad has called on the Federal Government to allow asylum seekers on bridging visas the right to work.
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Federal Government policy denies most asylum seekers the right to work.
Mr Broad said asylum seekers should be given the right to engage in mutual obligation programs like Work for the Dole.
"What we've got is 30,000 asylum seekers in Australia and there's a mix of different visas because of the overhang of the changing face of policy during the last government," he said.
"Some of those can't work and cannot even do voluntary work.
"If a person is here and they're receiving benefits from the government, wouldn't it be better if they were doing some form of work?"
Mr Broad said allowing people to interact in the economy would break down barriers.
"If you work on the premise that ultimately your country is going to be a safe place to return to then what's wrong with a person working and then returning?" he said.
Mr Broad said he supported government policies to stop boats and boat turn-backs.
"I support stopping the boats and I think people who are trying to profit from other people's desperation are scum," he said.
"Those involved in the people-smuggling trade are nothing but low-grade criminals."
Mr Broad said it was important to remember many asylum seekers were simply searching for a better life.
"We've got to be careful not to demonise people who seek to better themselves, that's why I've never used the words 'illegal boat arrivals'," he said.
Mr Broad said asylum seekers who proved they were valuable members of the community should be allowed to stay.
"I would like to see a length of time to some of those temporary protection visas - say the end of three years," he said.
"If the person has held down a job, not committed a criminal offence and has basically been a good citizen, they should be given an opportunity to apply for permanent residency and then make Australia their home.
"If, however, they haven't held a job or had broken the law I'd say 'on your bike sunshine'."
Mr Broad said he was motivated to speak out by Afghan Hazara asylum seeker Najib Ullah who cycled more than 700 kilometres from Swan Hill to Canberra to present a petition on the treatment of asylum seekers.
"I don't agree with everything in the petition, but my job is to represent people in my electorate and present it to the parliament," he said.
Mr Broad said it was ironic the
government was pushing programs such as Work for the Dole, while at the same time not allowing asylum seekers living in the community to do the same.
"I like anyone else am saying we need to have a very firm border protection policy, but we've got 30,000 asylum seekers - they might as well be doing something," he said.
But Mr Broad said he also believed there was a need for a high-security offshore detention centre