Editing Pacific Solution (section)

==Re-implementation (post-2007)==
[[File:ImmiDetentionPop2014-12.png|thumb|right|400px|Immigration Detention Population to December 2014]]
The Australian Government opened the [[Christmas Island Immigration Reception and Processing Centre]] in late 2008, and has since expanded facilities and accommodation there.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/boat-influx-opens-howards-white-elephant-20081218-71mz.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Boat influx opens Howard's 'white elephant' | first=Jewel | last=Topsfield | date=19 December 2008 | access-date=20 October 2009 | archive-date=28 September 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928072803/http://www.theage.com.au/national/boat-influx-opens-howards-white-elephant-20081218-71mz.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2012–2013 financial year the Government of Australia budgeted $1.1&nbsp;billion to cover the processing costs for 450 arrivals per month.<ref name="Boat arrivals a budget blowout threat">{{cite news|last=Kerin, Massola and Daley|title=Boat arrivals a budget blowout threat|url=http://www.afr.com/p/national/boat_arrivals_budget_blowout_threat_M7uLfAX8NYvdVNmLZXzFHI|access-date=16 April 2013|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=15 August 2012|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203053753/http://www.afr.com/p/national/boat_arrivals_budget_blowout_threat_M7uLfAX8NYvdVNmLZXzFHI|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 2007 to 2010, the number of asylum seeker arrivals by boat increased substantially—from 148 in 2007 to 6555 in 2010.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/BoatArrivals|title = Boat arrivals in Australia since 1976|date = 23 July 2013|access-date = 25 July 2013|last1 = Philips|last2 = Spinks|first1 = Janet|first2 = Harriet|publisher = [[Parliament of Australia]]|archive-date = 23 August 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130823141237/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/BoatArrivals|url-status = live}}</ref> This contributed to Rudd's ailing popularity through to 2010, when he resigned prior to a [[Australian Labor Party leadership spill, 2010|leadership spill]] of the [[Australian Labor Party]] to [[Julia Gillard]]; at this time Rudd said "This party and government will not be lurching [[Right-wing politics|to the right]] on the question of asylum seekers".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3336424.htm|title = Carbon tax, border protection and leadership|date = 10 October 2011|access-date = 25 July 2013|publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation|work = [[The 7:30 Report]]|last = Uhlmann|first = Chris|archive-date = 21 September 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130921144429/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3336424.htm|url-status = live}}</ref>

In July 2010, Gillard showed support for the utilisation of "regional processing centres".<ref>{{Cite speech|first = Julia|last = Gillard|access-date = 25 July 2013|location = Sydney|title = Speech to the Lowy Institute|url = http://sievx.com/articles/miscellaneous/2010/20100706JuliaGillard.html|date = 6 July 2010|archive-date = 4 January 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204301/http://sievx.com/articles/miscellaneous/2010/20100706JuliaGillard.html|url-status = live}}</ref> In December 2010, in the aftermath of an asylum seeker boat [[2010 Christmas Island boat disaster|sinking]] at [[Christmas Island]] in which 48 occupants perished, [[Queensland]] [[Premier of Queensland|Premier]] and ALP national president [[Anna Bligh]] called for a complete review of the government's policy on asylum seekers.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/chritmas-island-tragedy-forces-review-of-alps-asylum-stance/story-fn59niix-1225972457596|title = Christmas Island tragedy forces review of ALP's asylum stance|date = 17 December 2010|access-date = 25 July 2013|website = [[The Australian]]|last = Walker, Maley|first = Jamie, Paul|archive-date = 6 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150606222339/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/chritmas-island-tragedy-forces-review-of-alps-asylum-stance/story-fn59niix-1225972457596|url-status = live}}</ref> In May 2011, the Gillard government announced plans to address the issue of asylum seekers arriving by boat with an asylum seeker 'swap' deal for long-standing genuine refugees in Malaysia. Refugee lawyers asked the High Court to strike down the deal, arguing that the Immigration Minister did not have the power to send asylum seekers to a country that has no legal obligations to protect them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/high-court-sinks-malaysia-refugee-swap-plan-20110831-1jl1d.html |title=Malaysia Swap Deal For Asylum Seekers Ruled Unlawful By High Court |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=31 August 2011 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108185050/http://www.smh.com.au/national/high-court-sinks-malaysia-refugee-swap-plan-20110831-1jl1d.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were calls on the Australian Government to reinstate the Pacific Solution by reopening the detention centres on Nauru. Several of these came from former outspoken critics of the policy. Refugee lawyer Marion Le, who had demanded the facility be shut down in 2005, said that it was "time for Labor to bite the bullet and reopen Nauru", while human rights lawyer Julian Burnside disagreed, but conceded that "Nauru [was] certainly the less worse, but both are unacceptable."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/labor-urged-to-revive-pacific-solution-by-refugee-activists/story-fn59niix-1226069001374 | location=Sydney | work=The Australian | title=Labor urged to revive Pacific Solution by refugee activists | date=4 June 2011 | access-date=3 June 2011 | archive-date=18 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118103419/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/labor-urged-to-revive-pacific-solution-by-refugee-activists/story-fn59niix-1226069001374 | url-status=live }}</ref> This echoed the sentiment of Independent MP Andrew Wilkie who several days previously, while stopping short of calling for a return to the previous arrangement, noted that "John Howard's Pacific Solution was better."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/julia-gillards-asylum-seeker-solution-damned-by-independent-mp-andrew-wilkie/story-e6freuzr-1226065967951 | location=Sydney | work=The Telegraph | title=Julia Gillard's asylum seeker solution damned by independent MP Andrew Wilkie | first=Gemma | last=Jones | date=31 May 2011}}</ref> The Malaysian people swap deal was deemed unlawful by the High Court.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/court-win-wont-stop-malaysia-deal-fight-20110831-1jkjl.html | location=Sydney | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Malaysian swap deal ruled unlawful | date=31 August 2011}}</ref>

During the 2010 Australian federal election campaign Liberal Leader [[Tony Abbott]] said he would meet with the President of Nauru, [[Marcus Stephen]], to demonstrate the Coalition's resolve to reinstate the Pacific Solution policy, should he become prime minister.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/abbott-to-talk-to-nauru-on-reopening-camp-20100806-11om9.html Abbott to talk to Nauru on reopening camp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106055130/http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/abbott-to-talk-to-nauru-on-reopening-camp-20100806-11om9.html |date=6 November 2012 }}, Yuko Narushima and Kirsty Needham, [[The Age]], 8 August 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2010.</ref> Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] announced 6 July 2010 that talks were under way to set up a regional processing centre for asylum seekers in [[East Timor]].<ref>Salna, Karlis (6 July 2010)" [http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/gillard-unveils-east-timor-solution-20100706-zy9s.html Gillard unveils 'East Timor solution'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915123345/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/gillard-unveils-east-timor-solution-20100706-zy9s.html |date=15 September 2010 }}". [[The Age]]. Retrieved 25 December 2010</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillards-timor-solution-reaction-20100706-zyhi.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Gillard's Timor solution: reaction | date=6 July 2010 | access-date=3 January 2011 | archive-date=9 July 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709203048/http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillards-timor-solution-reaction-20100706-zyhi.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2012, a government-appointed expert panel (Houston Report) recommended a number of changes to the current policy including the reintroduction of the Pacific Solution after an increase in boat people and deaths at sea. It handed down 22 recommendations, including the immediate reopening of immigration detention facilities on Manus Island and Nauru,<ref>{{Cite report|title = Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers|url = http://expertpanelonasylumseekers.dpmc.gov.au/report|date = 13 August 2012|access-date = 26 July 2013|section = 3.44–3.57|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130806085024/http://expertpanelonasylumseekers.dpmc.gov.au/report|archive-date = 6 August 2013|url-status = dead}}</ref> which the government implemented with bipartisan support.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.examiner.com.au/story/211856/gillard-moves-swiftly-on-nauru-option/|title = Gillard moves swiftly on Nauru option|date = 14 August 2012|access-date = 26 July 2013|website = The Examiner|last = Ireland|first = Judith|archive-date = 4 January 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204249/http://www.examiner.com.au/story/211856/gillard-moves-swiftly-on-nauru-option/|url-status = live}}</ref> This was expected to cost $2&nbsp;billion over four years for Nauru and $900&nbsp;million for Papua New Guinea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-08-14/australian-parliament-to-vote-on-pacific-solution/998752 |title=Australian parliament to vote on Pacific Solution |publisher=Radioaustralia.net.au |date=14 August 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729232251/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-08-14/australian-parliament-to-vote-on-pacific-solution/998752 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The bill to do so was passed on 16 August 2012. Asylum seekers who arrive by boat to Australia are now to be transferred to remote Pacific islands indefinitely while their claims to refugee status are being processed.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bill Frelick, refugee program director |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/08/17/australia-pacific-solution-redux |title=Australia: 'Pacific Solution' Redux |publisher=Human Rights Watch(Hrw.org) |date=17 August 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122050650/http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/08/17/australia-pacific-solution-redux |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] described the conditions of the Nauru detention facility as "appalling" at this time.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3637271.htm|title = Amnesty International slams Nauru facility|date = 20 November 2012|access-date = 26 July 2013|website = Lateline|last = Waters|first = Jeff|archive-date = 28 December 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121228055403/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3637271.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> 

The Government announced on 21 November 2012 that it was recommencing onshore processing with bridging visas.<ref>{{cite news|title=First asylum seekers arrive on Manus Island|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/first-asylum-seekers-arrive-on-manus-island/4383876|access-date=12 June 2013|newspaper=ABC|date=21 November 2012|archive-date=9 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509032703/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/first-asylum-seekers-arrive-on-manus-island/4383876|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Protesters outside Balmain Town Hall 3.jpg|thumb|Protesters outside [[Australian Labor Party Caucus|ALP caucus]] meeting in July 2013]]
On 21 November 2012 Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced the reopening the Pontville Detention Centre in Tasmania.<ref name="Pontville re-opens">{{cite news|title=Government reopens Pontville Detention Centre|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pontville-reopens-to-asylum-seekers/4384240|access-date=22 November 2012|publisher=ABC News|date=21 November 2012|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130091335/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-21/pontville-reopens-to-asylum-seekers/4384240|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 July 2013 in a joint press conference with PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd detailed the Regional Resettlement Arrangement between Australia and Papua New Guinea:<ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian/novisa/regional-arrangements.pdf REGIONAL RESETTLEMENT ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810050525/http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian/novisa/regional-arrangements.pdf |date=10 August 2013 }}. Retrieved 26 July 2013.</ref>

{{quotation|From now on, any asylum seeker who arrives in Australia by boat will have no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees. Asylum seekers taken to Christmas Island will be sent to Manus and elsewhere in Papua New Guinea for assessment of their refugee status. If they are found to be genuine refugees they will be resettled in Papua New Guinea... If they are found not to be genuine refugees they may be repatriated to their country of origin or be sent to a [[safe third country]] other than Australia. These arrangements are contained within the Regional Resettlement Arrangement signed by myself and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea just now.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-joint-press-conference-2|title=Transcript of Joint Press Conference|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|date=19 July 2013|access-date=4 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726153301/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-joint-press-conference-2|archive-date=26 July 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}
The subsequent [[Department of Immigration and Citizenship]] press release stated: "Australia will work with PNG to expand the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre, as well as explore the construction of other regional processing centres in Papua New Guinea...The arrangements {{sic}} also allows for other countries (including Pacific Island states) to participate in similar arrangements in the future."<ref name="imm" />

The number of arrivals continued to climb, to 25,173 in the 2012–13 financial year,<ref name=":1" /> and approximately 862 asylum seekers died trying to reach Australia between 2008 and July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theconversation.com/factcheck-have-more-than-1000-asylum-seekers-died-at-sea-under-labor-16221|title = FactCheck: have more than 1000 asylum seekers died at sea under Labor?|date = 23 July 2013|access-date = 26 July 2013|website = The Conversation|publisher = The Conversation Media Group|last = Reilly|first = Alex|archive-date = 26 July 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726071108/http://theconversation.com/factcheck-have-more-than-1000-asylum-seekers-died-at-sea-under-labor-16221|url-status = live}}</ref> In June 2013, Kevin Rudd toppled Gillard in another [[Australian Labor Party leadership spill, June 2013|leadership spill]], following weeks of polls indicating the ALP would be defeated at the next election.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/10145093/Kevin-Rudd-sworn-in-as-Australian-prime-minister.html|title = Kevin Rudd sworn in as Australian Prime Minister|date = 27 June 2013|access-date = 26 July 2013|website = [[The Daily Telegraph]]|last = Pearlman|first = Jonathan|archive-date = 30 June 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130630192322/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/10145093/Kevin-Rudd-sworn-in-as-Australian-prime-minister.html|url-status = live}}</ref>