Critics from International Human Rights Organizations
28
to process fewer than 1,700 asylum seekers in Nauru, Manus and Christmas Island.
99
In 2006, the Labor Party leader, Kevin Rudd, and his deputy Julia Gillard, shared the same opinion on the issue. They both were eager to bring the „Pacific
Solution‟ to an end and find a regional offshore center with Timor Leste instead. The parliament of Australia highlights the Report of the Inquiry into a Certain
Maritime Incident outlined that asylum seekers endured a lots of difficulties in Nauru and Manus Island such as limited access to water, sanitation and
electricity.
100
On the contrary, the ruling government was led by John Howard, the leader of the Liberal-
National Party Coalition, which priors the policy of „Pacific Solution.‟ Therefore, since the establishment of „Pacific Solution‟ in 2001, „boat
people‟ became of the most important issues of competition between the two political parties.
The Labor Party and Liberal-National Party Coalition were in disagreement on the method to stop the „boat people‟.
101
This included the question of whether „boat people‟ should be given temporary visa instead of permanent protection.‟
102
The Coalition has argued that the abolition of Temporary Protection Visa TPV
99
The Pacific Solution: A 1 billion “living hell”? Oxfam. 23 August, 2007. Available at: https:www.oxfam.org.aumedia200708the-pacific-solution-a-1-billion-living-hell Accessed in the 24th of
September 2014.
100
Asylum Seekers and Refugees What are the Facts. Parliament of Australia. February 11, 2013. Available at:http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_LibrarypubsBN20
122013PacificSolution_Toc334509636, accessed in the 23th of September 2014.
101
Back to the Future: Australian Border Policing Under Labor, 2007 –2013. State Crime Journal, Vol. 3, No.
1 Spring 2014, pp. 102-125. Available at: http:www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.ausiteskaldorcentre.unsw.edu.aufilesback_to_the_future_published_ver
sion.pdf. Accessed in the 24th of September 2014.
102
Ibid.
29
and Pacific Solution would increase the number of unauthorized boat arrivals.
103
It had declared that TPVs were „an effective deterrent to boat arrivals.‟
104
Meanwhile, Labor argued that the introduction of TPVs was „ineffective‟ in
decreasing the number of boat arrivals.‟
105
Labor believed the TPV actually have increased the number of women and children came to Australia by boat, as TPVs
did not provide family reunificatio n rights.‟
106
Labor argued since there was no family reunification, families could not rely on men arriving to Australia alone.
107
It implied that they were disable to apply visa for their family member once they are resettled. Therefore, it was
necessary to take the whole family including women and children together on the risky journey to Australia.
108
Since 2005, the numbers of children in offshore detention have increased significantly. Between July 1999 and June 2003, 2,184
children arrived in Australia without a valid visa.
109
103
A comparison of Coalition and Labor government asylum policies in Australia since 2001. Parliament of Australia. February 28, 2014. Available at:
http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_Librarypubsrprp1314 AsylumPolicies_Toc381358238, accessed in the 18th of October 2014.
104
Restoring Sovereignty and Control to our Borders. Joint Press Conference, Transcript. May 25, 2010. Available at:
http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_Librarypubsrprp1314 AsylumPolicies_Toc381358238, accessed in the 18th of October 2014.
105
Failed Policies and Cheap Politics Offer no Solutions. C Evans Minister for Immigration and Citizenship media release. 27 May 2010. Available at
http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_Librarypubsrprp1314 AsylumPolicies_Toc381358238, accessed in the 18th of October 2014.
106
Failed Policies and Cheap Politics Offer no Solutions. C Evans Minister for Immigration and Citizenship media release. 27 May 2010. Available at
http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_Librarypubsrprp1314 AsylumPolicies_Toc381358238, accessed in the 18th of October 2014.
107
Restoring Sovereignty and Control to our Borders. Joint Press Conference, Transcript. May 25, 2010. Available at:
http:www.aph.gov.auAbout_ParliamentParliamentary_DepartmentsParliamentary_Librarypubsrprp1314 AsylumPolicies_Toc381358238, accessed in the 18th of October 2014.
108
Ibid.
109
Australia Detention Profile. Global Detention Project. July 2008. Available at: http:www.globaldetentionproject.orgcountriesasia-pacificaustraliachildren-women-and-other-vulnerable-
groups.html. Accessed in the 10th of December 2014.
30
In 2007, the Australia Labor Party won the federal election. The Labor‟s candidate, Kevin Rudd was popular with its soft asylum seeker policy as he
detested the „Pacific Solution.‟
110
Rudd had been leading the Coalition‟s
candidate, John Howard in the poll as preferred Prime Minister. Rudds approval ratings had maintained from levels above 60.
111
At the end of 2007, Kevin Rudd officially became the new Australian Prime Minister. After his election, his
commitment to dismantling the offshore processing awaited to be proven.