The Wire

The Federal Government says their border protection policy is having some effect, despite the arrival of more than 500 asylum seekers and reported incidents of self harm on Nauru and Christmas Island at the weekend. The Immigration Department reports the incidents of self-harm occurred on both Nauru and Christmas Island, amid protests. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the incidents do not mean the government’s policy is failing, saying more time is needed. But some former asylum seekers, refugee advocates and legal experts have condemned the government’s offshore processing policy as cruel and ineffective.