The Wire

Tony Abbott has come under fire this week for his insistence that some asylum seeker boats should be turned back towards Indonesia. The debate on asylum seeker policy has been fuelled by the recent capsizing of two boats carrying asylum seekers north of Christmas Island, highlighting the risks refugees face in trying to reach Australian shores. However, some refugee advocates are questioning why asylum seekers can’t come to Australia safely by aeroplane. The spotlight has now fallen on our strict visa regulations, which prevent asylum seekers from travelling to Australia by air.