BISHOP of Sandhurst Joseph Grech expects the Gillard government to approach the asylum-seeker issue in a proper, just and dignified manner in the lead-up to this year’s federal election. With concern about asylum seekers set to be a key issue, Prime Minister Julia Gillard is preparing to unveil a new policy direction. Bishop Grech, who is the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference spokesman for refugee and migrant issues, said yesterday Australia had an obligation to help asylum seekers who had been classified as refugees to settle into Australian life in a ‘’dignified manner’’.This was because Australia, as a member of the United Nations, had signed international treaties to do so, he said.Bishop Grech said that although Australia had a very good history of welcoming people, the government should also continue working closely with countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia to help resolve the asylum-seeker issue. “Our country needs to continue working with our neighbouring countries to eliminate people smuggling and to ensure the safety of these people, because many are fleeing from many traumatic and painful experiences.’’ Federal Labor MP for Bendigo Steve Gibbons said dealing with people seeking asylum, and in particular, people arriving from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka by boat, was a difficult and complex issue. “There is no easy answer, as (federal Opposition Leader) Tony Abbott would have us believe. “We have a humanitarian responsibility under UN conventions to deal with all asylum seekers in a compassionate and humane manner while continuing to strengthen and secure our borders”.“That I believe is the Australian way, and Tony Abbott’s policy of turning the boats around, is just designed to spread fear and encourage an extremist view of these unfortunate people throughout Australia in the lead-up to an election”.“After all, Mr Abbott had the best teacher in John Howard in using fear and race as election weapons.” Mr Abbott has said he wants a return to the offshore processing and temporary protection visas, and that he’s ready to fight the election on the issue. “It’s incumbent upon her (Ms Gillard) to stop the boats, and the best way (is) for her to accept that she got it wrong and adopt the Coalition’s policy,’’ he said. Liberal candidate for Bendigo Craig Hunter said an effective policy was required for border protection, including turning boats around and rigorously processing asylum seekers offshore, if possible in other countries.