137 people from Hong Kong seeking Australia asylum

About 137 people from Hong Kong were already seeking asylum, Australia's Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge told Australian Broadcasting Corp, television today.

He said Australia was keen attract business talent from Hong Kong.

"What we've done is that we've offered particular visas for people to come here, and particularly the global talent who is residing there," he said.

Beyond the students and the small number of working visa holders, any Hong Kong resident would have the option of applying for refugee settlement, if they can prove they would face persecution if they return to Hong Kong, Tudge said.

"And we've also signalled that we want to get some of the businesses who want to move locations to come to Australia as a great destination for them to set up shop."

Speaking more broadly on immigration, Tudge said the Government was yet to decide if it would reduce immigration numbers when borders eventually reopen following the coronavirus pandemic.

"We'll update the figures in the October budget," Tudge said. "We'll outline what we expect the migration program to look like."