Myth Busters

Here are some of the legal myth busters you would be interested in:

"IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS TO ARRIVE BY BOAT"

Seeking asylum in Australia is NOT ILLEGAL even where asylum seekers arrive by boat. Governments must not punish asylum seekers for arriving by boat. Seeking asylum is a human right.

"ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO ARRIVE BY BOAT ARE QUEUE JUMPERS"

There is no formal “queue” to become a refugee. For those who arrive by boat, seeking asylum in Australia is their only option.

"ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE TAKING OVER AUSTRALIA"

There is only 1.1 refugee for every 1000 people in Australia.

"ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE EXPLOITING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY"

Centrelink benefits for an asylum seeker in Australia: $0.

"THOSE WHO ARRIVE BY BOAT ARE TERRORISTS"

ZERO proven terrorists have arrived by boat seeking asylum.

"AUSTRALIA IS ALREADY RECEIVING TOO MANY ASYLUM SEEKERS"

Australia receives a much smaller number of asylum applications than other countries. In 2010, the UK received 22,090 applications, the USA received 55,530 applications and Australia received 8,250 applications.

These are a few of the many myths out there...