Christmas Island 'harsh' and overcrowded: human rights report
Bianca Hall Christmas Island's detention centre is chronically overcrowded, and poses particular risks to women and children, Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs says.
Arrivals tipped to reach 25,000
Bianca Hall The government vastly underestimated the number of asylum seekers expected to arrive in Australia this financial year, with up to 25,000 now expected - almost five times more than initial forecasts.
Accidental underclass
Michael Gordon and Bianca Hall It was the foundation stone of Julia Gillard's plan to stop, or at least substantially slow, the flow of boats.
Asylum seeker industry's $8 billion money spinner
Matt O'Sullivan and Bianca Hall A surge in asylum seekers held in detention centres on Australia's mainland and Pacific island outposts is proving to be a growing money spinner for companies contracted by the Immigration Department.
New rewards a chance for asylum seekers to win on points
Bianca Hall Asylum seekers are being given rewards for good behaviour in Christmas Island's detention centre, in an attempt to avoid a return to the tensions that led to riots and violent clashes with...
Island school an oasis of normality
Bianca Hall Seven children sit in rapt attention in Dale Brittle's class at Christmas Island. But these kids - aged between five and seven - aren't like the others at the island's school.
Children seeking knowledge, as well as a safe place to live
Bianca Hall Seven children sit in rapt attention in Dale Brittle's class on Christmas Island. But these children - aged between five and seven - aren't like the others at the island's school.
Asylum seekers land in Geraldton
Bianca Hall and Aleisha Orr Sixty-six asylum seekers landed within the harbour limits of Geraldton on Tuesday, after telling rescuers they had spent 44 days at sea from Sri Lanka, more than 8000 kilometres from Western...
Plea for a prayer when 'small, overcrowded' boat sinks
Michael Bachelard, Bianca Hall An asylum seeker vessel that sank off Indonesia's coast early on Friday morning has plunged the country's search and rescue agency into disarray as 58 people remain missing.
Brave men on tyre raft nominated for awards
Bianca Hall An Indonesian crewman and three missing asylum seekers from Myanmar have been nominated for Australian bravery awards.
More deaths predicted as two more boats arrive and numbers soar
Bianca Hall and Michael Gordon Two boatloads of asylum seekers arrived at Christmas Island on Tuesday, bringing the total to 11 since Friday amid an unprecedented surge in irregular immigration by sea.
400 more asylum seekers expected by end of week
Bianca Hall Locals are bracing for another lot of asylum seekers, following the arrival of almost 300 so far this week.
A mother and child exhausted: faces of the many who flee by sea
Bianca Hall She sits in a wheelchair looking utterly defeated, a small child in her lap. She appears to be in her mid to late 30s, but it is difficult to tell through her exhaustion.
Boats to keep coming as tears keep flowing
Bianca Hall She sits on a wheelchair, looking utterly defeated, a small child in her lap.
Lost revenue demanded after asylum seekers housed at club
Bianca Hall On a midweek afternoon the Cocos Club is a hive of activity.
Official barred from visits to Nauru, Manus Island
Bianca Hall The federal government's top legal adviser has told Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs she cannot visit Nauru and Manus Island to assess and act on complaints from asylum seekers...
Human rights chief warned off islands visit
Bianca Hall The federal government's top legal adviser has told Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs she cannot visit Nauru and Manus Island to assess and act on complaints from asylum seekers...
Second breakout on Manus Island
Bianca Hall About 40 men jump on the camp's fences, brandishing wooden sticks, before flattening a fence.
Liberals step up refugee campaign
Bianca Hall More asylum seekers have arrived on boats since Labor came to power in 2007 than people live in the remote community of Alice Springs, opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.
ASYLUM DEBATE
Bianca Hall More asylum seekers have arrived on boats since Labor came to power in 2007 than people live in the remote community of Alice Springs, opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.
