On Wednesday 27th April, ASPI
hosted ‘An evening with the Hon Richard Marles, MP’.

The evening was opened by Mr Peter
Jennings, Executive Director of ASPI. Mr Jennings gave a brief overview of the
Shadow Minister’s career and discussed his role as Shadow Minister for
Immigration and Border Security.

The Shadow Minister reflected on
Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court decision regarding the Manus Island detention
centre, calling the ruling a serious moment for offshore processing. He
reiterated Labor’s commitment to offshore processing, describing it as the
single most important policy implemented by an Australian government regarding
the movement of people between Java and Christmas Island.

The Shadow Minister
outlined some of Labor’s future policy plans, including promoting Australia to
play a leadership role in building a humanitarian space in Southeast Asia.

The event closed with an engaging
Q&A session with the Shadow Minister, moderated by Mr Tobias Feakin, Director
of National Security Programs at ASPI. Enquiries touched on the steps Labor
would take to address immigration and border protection issues if they were to
win the upcoming federal election, and the future of the refugees currently on
Manus Island. After the discussion, speakers and guests enjoyed drinks and
canapés.