The refugee crisis is divisive and a global affect to every country, especially of major importance to Australia. It concerns the refugees that have arrived in Australia or another country illegally, or by boat. There are approximately 21 million refugees world wide, without anywhere to go. Countries will only accept small numbers of refugees or none at all. It is a complicated matter as involves the breech of border protection laws, the inhumane housing in detention centers, and the over debated issue of the "Tampa" crisis. Many might agree that Australia has treated them inhumanely and that they need to be, but there are those will not agree to that statement. It is disputed that those refugees arriving here are not welcomed and refused a visa because of their background. Many refugees come from Afghanistan, Angola, Burma, Burundi, Congo- Kinshasa, Eritrea, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Somalia and Sudan. These countries mostly have a Muslim background with only a few numbers of Christians. Since the world has suffered the torment of terrorist attacks and other incidents, illegal entry into a country has become more difficult with increasing laws for unlawful refugees.
Stronger Border protection laws were introduced on September 27th, 2001. They are meant to reduce the illegal entrants in Australia and prevent any major boat deaths from repeat occurrences (Tampa crises and the children overboard issue). Asylum Seekers and those that are not Australian citizens who do not have the current visa must then leave the country immediately. The new border protection laws are working and there has been a downfall in the number of illegal refugees entering Australia. .
Because of recent terrorist attacks in the world (September 11th, and suicide bombers) there has been an increase in the fear from the people. Even the government has stated this.
"Within 48 hours of the attacks in the united States, Defence Minister Peter Reith was warning that the unauthorized arrival of boats on Australian Territory "can be a pipeline for terrorists to come in and use your country as a staging post for terrorist activities".