Wong defends bridging visa policy FEDERAL cabinet minister Penny Wong denies the decision to give asylum seekers bridging visas is creating an underclass in the community. Senator Wong was responding to reports that a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers on bridging visas was evicted from derelict housing in western Sydney on Thursday. Asked whether the policy was creating an underclass, the finance minister told Sky News the government was providing more initial support than the Howard government did under its temporary protection visa regime. "There is no easy answer, and anyone who says there is, is wrong," she said on Friday. The government needed to implement policies that prevented asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat and risking their lives. "No-one can forget the tragedies we have seen in this area in past years," Senator Wong said.