A Change of Guard

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Sunday 28 September 2014

Refugee deal triggers awkward moment for Scott Morrison in Cambodia

Lindsay Murdoch

SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT FOR FAIRFAX MEDIA


Cambodians protest Australia's asylum plan

"How can Cambodia take refugees better than Australia," asks a protestor on the streets of Phnom Penh, as Scott Morrison firms up the government's deal to send asylum seekers to the poor nation.
Phnom Penh: The behaviour of Australia's Immigration Minister Scott Morrison in the Cambodian capital late on Friday was a diplomatic embarrassment.
Mr Morrison walked 20 minutes late* into a ceremony to sign an agreement for Australia to send its unwanted refugees to one of the world's poorest and most corrupt nations.
An awkward toast: Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng.
An awkward toast: Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng. Photo: Omar Havana
The proceedings started when aides crashed a tray of champagne glasses and went downhill from there.


After inking the agreement that has provoked a storm of criticism, Mr Morrison stood and clinked champagne glasses with Cambodia's Interior Minister Sar Kheng, as it became clear to journalists corralled behind rope barriers that neither intended to explain anything about the agreement or to answer questions.
"What about the $40 million pay-off (to Cambodia)," a journalist shouted.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng sign the agreement.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng sign the agreement. Photo: Omar Havana
Mr Morrison ignored growing heckling while pretending to toast a line of generals and unidentified VIPs on stage whose share of the bubbly had crashed to the floor.
Neither Mr Morrison nor Mr Sar Kheng said a word during their five minute appearance.
They walked out together, leaving Cambodian journalists gobsmacked.
Cambodian officials admitted when Mr Morrison's convoy had returned to the luxurious Raffles Hotel Le Royal that Mr Sar Kheng had intended to hold a press conference to inform Cambodians about the agreement but called it off at the last moment, apparently at Australia's request.
For months the Abbott government has refused to publicly reveal any detail about the agreement.

Mr Morrison's office only confirmed he was travelling to Cambodia on Friday after his visit was announced by Cambodia's Foreign Ministry.
Cambodian and foreign journalists alike left the ceremony with their questions unanswered.
* Mr Morrison contacted Fairfax Media after the article was published to clarify that the event was delayed because of a meeting with a Cambodian minister that ran over time.
Mr Morrison also denied Australia had made changes to media arrangements which he said were put in place by the Cambodian Government.



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