The Wire

World refugee week started today, but got very little attention in Australia. Instead national conversation focused on whether the government has been paying people smugglers to take refugees back to Indonesia. The government has defended Operation Sovereign Borders staff, directing focus to their success at stopping the boats. However, if the government has been paying people smugglers, it would be a violation of international and Australian law. While the debate raged on today, a gathering outside parliament house aimed to draw attention to the 231 children still in detention.