The government’s asylum policy, Operation Sovereign Borders, began on Wednesday and is headed by a three-star general. Prime Minister Abbott has promised the policy of boat buy-backs and towbacks will make a difference from day one.
Ahead of Prime Minister Abbot’s visit to Indonesia, MP Tantowi Yahya has labelled the Coalition’s asylum seeker policy offensive and illegal. Research shows Indonesia is prosecuting more people smugglers, but most convicted are crew members rather than organisers. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said Australia seeks understanding not permission from Indonesia.
Companies running detention centres in Australia and offshore have failed to report on the safety and care of people in detention, dating back several years. Lawyer Julian Burnside has proposed the Tasmania Solution, assigning the island as a place of detention.