Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says claims that two Iraqi service personnel who wish to seek asylum in Australia were unable to successfully lodge applications offshore raise concerns with Australian immigration application processes overseas.

The two men were involved in the rescue of Australian hostage Douglas Wood in Iraq in 2005.

Senator Hanson-Young asked Immigration Minister Chris Evans yesterday morning in a Senate Estimates hearing about reports regarding the plight of the men. Representatives of the Immigration Department then met with Mr Wood yesterday afternoon to discuss the immigration options open to his rescuers.

“The Greens welcome the Department’s swift action in meeting with Mr Wood to discuss what can be done for these Iraqi men,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“We hope that their applications are processed promptly.”

Senator Hanson-Young said that it was concerning that two people appearing to have legitimate cases for seeking asylum in Australia had not yet been able to lodge proper applications.

“The term ‘queue jumper’ is sometimes used to unfairly describe those who seek asylum outside of offshore application avenues – but these men seem to have had real difficulty in even joining the queue,” she said.

“The two men I asked about yesterday in Senate Estimates have been brought to our attention by the high profile of Australian Douglas Wood.

“How many other people around the world do we not know about as they unsuccessfully try to seek our protection here, and who slip through the cracks?

“The Greens hope the Immigration Department will re-assess avenues for people overseas to apply for entry to Australia.

“Those seeking Australia’s protection must be able to make their pleas heard.”