@Don Aitkin, when the boats arrive, the people on board request asylum in Australia from the circumstances they allege they are fleeing.

They have a legal right to do that under our law. They then go through a process to determine whether or not they are eligible for refugee status and if their claims are genuine.

Asylum seeker isn't in itself an emotive term, though it has become that, loaded with baggage. It's just a way of describing the status of people who ask for sanctuary here and for Australia to assess their claims to determine if they are refugees according to the UN Convention. People who arrive by plane are also called asylum seekers until assessed.
People in camps are also asylum seekers until assessed as refugees or not.
Cheers, Jennifer.

Poirot,

Are you being sexist and suggesting that women are soft and should be guided by their gender. Is Gillard not a woman for admitting that onshore processing has failed spectacularly and another solution is needed?

SM,

"Are you being sexist and suggesting woman are soft and should be guided by their gender...."

Yes!..... ( of course, your word is "soft" - my word is "ethical")

Ironically, Julia's stance on this issue is set to be continually "refouled" - she always ends up back where she started.

Have either of you any more deep and meaningful reflections to impart?
Poirot,
And here I was thinking the comments to be most apt. Ah well.

Poirot,

Are you being sexist and suggesting that men are less ethical than women?

my apologies Briar. I should have read more closely