Michael Koziol, Immigration reporter
Leaked guidelines issued by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection reveal all asylum seekers receiving taxpayer support must obtain the department's approval before buying a household animal.

The edict applies to thousands of people currently in Australia awaiting the outcome of their bids for protection, including the 7500 who lodged their claims following the government's imposition of an October 1 deadline.
"Recipients may own a pet if permission is granted by both the department and the landlord," asylum seekers have been told.

Advocates at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre were scathing of the move. Jana Favero, the organisation's director of advocacy, said it was "another terrifying display of arbitrary powers to decide the rights of people seeking asylum", and a waste of the department's time.
"When someone told us about it, I actually didn't believe it. We thought 'this is so ridiculous, the department wouldn't go that far'," Ms Favero told Fairfax Media. "I have no idea what would have motivated this ... I can't even guess what they'll do next."
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