History of Asylum Seekers in Australia

By mgbad1

  • Eighty-six boats with people arriving unlawfully to Australia

    From January to December 1999, 3,722 people arrive seeking asylum.The wave of boat arrivals is the largest ever to reach Australia, and in the shortest time frame.

  • 353 asylum seekers killed in sinking boat

    A boat, known as the SIEV-X, sinks in the Indian Ocean killing 353 asylum seekers. A Senate Inquiry into 'A Certain Maritime Incident' also investigated why a Royal Australian Navy ship did not mount a rescue to the SIEV-X.

  • No Boat arrivals in 12 Months

    There has not been an unauthorised boat arrival in Australia for 12 months.

  • Abandoning the Pacific Solution

    The new Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, abandons the Pacific Solution.

  • 12 asylum seekers rescued

    The Royal Australian Navy rescues 12 asylum seekers from a sinking boat off the Ashmore Islands off Australia's north-west coast. It is one of seven boats intercepted in Australian waters in 2008.

  • Explosion occurs i on board the boat carrying asylum seekers

    At least three people are killed and 31 are injured. There is speculation the boat was deliberately doused in petrol. It is the sixth boat to arrive in Australia in 2009.