'Softer' immigration policy raised in leaked cable
A leaked US diplomatic document has revealed a Labor Party strategist believed Australia's border protection policies were partly responsible for an increase in asylum seeker arrivals.
abc.net.au
Updated August 25, 2011 15:37:57

The document was written by the US embassy in Canberra in 2009 and released overnight by WikiLeaks.

WikiLeaks has released thousands of new cables from US embassies around the world, including more than 30 from its mission in Canberra.

It says a leading, unnamed ALP strategist in Perth told US officials the Government's "softer immigration policy" was partly responsible for the increase in asylum seeker boats.

However, the strategist is also reported as saying an increase in global refugee movements was another factor.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison has seized on the comments.

"This cable highlights the Government's culpability in knowing for more than two years that their policies were a problem," he said.

The 2009 cable also discusses the asylum seeker boat explosion off Ashmore Reef in the same year which killed five Afghans, saying it was difficult to envisage then prime minister Kevin Rudd significantly hardening immigration policy in response.

"This would alienate the left of his party and possibly undermine Australia's bid for a UN Security Council seat," the cable said.

"There is no indication so far that this issue is affecting his dominant standing in the polls. Rather, it is likely Rudd will continue to pressure Indonesia, in particular, to do more.

"This issue may backfire on the Coalition, if it becomes too vocal, given that some moderate Liberals were uncomfortable with the Howard government's approach."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-25/i ... le/2855656