Kumbalia,

Year / Number of Boats / Number of people

1998 17 200

1999 86 3721

2000 51 2939

2001 43 5516

2002 1 1

2003 1 53

2004 1 15

2005 4 11

2006 6 60

2007 5 148

2008 7 161

2009 59 2750

2010 (to 19 May 2010) 59 2982

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bn/sp/BoatArrivals.htm

Is this proof enough? or do you need it explained in small words

so what have you explained. duh the boats have increased. where is your evidence for the reasons. are you so completely ignorant to world events and all the other reasons for changes. Afghans are now the highest group seeking asylum in the world for the first time since 2001. sri lanka has just been through a huge escalation of their civil war. duh

OH commmme OFF it Shadow Minister.. anyone can 'spin' figures...

how dare you suggest that something which has feathers.. webbed feet, a flat bill, goes "Quack" could actually be.. a duck!

Clearly you are just a liberal party hack.. and prejudiced and intolerant to boot. (and a racist :)

SLOBERDOWN....

you (along with every other spindoctor of left wing causes) conveniently NEGLECTS to mention something very clearly stated in that convention which you love to trot out.

"(The) State shall not expel a refugee lawfully in their territory EXCEPT on grounds of national security or public order…" Article 32

PUBLIC....ORDER.....

-Tamils and Sinhalese fighting it out in Melbournes streets.
-Reffo's rioting in Christmas Island.
-Reffo's trying to use force/intimidation against our government.

Sorry mate.. people who do that are OUTside the confines of the convention, as they are not behaving in the interests of public order or national security.

So... let's summarize.

1/ Reffo comes here 'lawfully'
2/ Lawful Reffo riots.
3/ Lawful reffo is now UNlawful and is DEPORTED for public order offences.

Deported to the last non original country they came through.

Amazing how the FULL and BALANCED picture can change things eh?

Refugee numbers increased about 12% in 2008/2010 but about 2000% to Aus.

The spike in boats coincided exactly with the relaxation of the pacific solution, but has very little correlation with either the war in Sri Lanka or Afghanistan.

Perhaps instead of lame generalizations you could pinpoint the events that happened mid 2009 that lead to the sudden increase in boats?

Either put up or...

A State is not obliged to assist any person who:

* has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity;
* has committed a serious non-political crime, outside their country of refuge prior to his/her admission as a refugee;
* has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

-Piracy/Tampa.
-Riots in detention centres.
-Running battles on Melbournes streets.
-Taking control of ships in port.

CRIME AGAINST PEACE? errr.. Tamil Tigers and their supporters...would qualify in spades for that.

Don't bring back the Pacific Soluton Tony.. JUST USE THE UN CONVENTION mate and send them BACK... it's pretty clear.