Leaky Boat

When Australia stopped the refugee boats in 2001, most Australians applauded. Ten years later, the people who were there tell us what we didn't then know. In late winter 2001, the crew of the Norwegian tanker the Tampa pulled more than 400 refugees out of a fishing boat that was sinking off the north-west coast of Australia. The refugees demanded to be taken to Christmas Island. As the captain complied, the Australian authorities radioed. They threatened to seize his ship and throw him in prison if he entered Australian waters. The order had come from the very top.