Asylum seekers Howard Government

abc news report of tampa affair , political context, october 2001.



persons arriving unauthorised boat australia calendar year

from 1999 mid-2001, approximately 8,000 asylum seekers had landed on australian shores. government instructed australian navy turn boats back, said stop more asylum seekers making journey. program dubbed operation relex begins on 3 september. in august 2001, government refused permission norwegian freighter mv tampa, carrying group of asylum seekers picked in international waters, enter australian waters (see tampa affair). when tampa entered australian waters, prime minister ordered ship boarded australian special forces. brought censure government of norway said australian government failed meet obligations distressed mariners under international law @ united nations. within few days government introduces border protection bill house of representatives saying confirm australian sovereignty determine enter , reside in australia . opposition opposed bill defeating in senate, , john howard accused labor leader kim beazley of standing nothing , said has no ticker . 2 weeks later, opposition supported amended version of bill. government brokered deal, dubbed pacific solution , government of nauru whereby asylum seekers taken nauru refugee status considered, rather in australia.

on 7 october 2001, suspected illegal entry vessel (siev) containing 223 refugees intercepted australian warship part of operation relex . department of defence informed government children had been thrown overboard. government said refugees threw children in water , sank boat in attempt force australian sailors grant them asylum. john howard said re not nation that‟s going intimidated kind of behaviour. 3 days later doubt cast on whether photos offered evidence defence minister peter reith proved children had been thrown overboard. evidence later presented suggested government had exaggerated or fabricated these claims.

these asylum restriction incidents resounded australian electorate; many commentators cite august 2001 tampa controversy decisive issue in howard s 2001 election victory. government pointed out november boat arrivals had stopped. government s position on asylum seekers criticised liberal members petro georgiou , bruce baird, questioning extent of problem , ethics of government s response.