Boatpeople and public opinion in Australia

Since 1976 there have been three waves of boatpeople travelling to Australia, the last beginning in 1999. Following the Tampa incident in August 2001 it has been Government policy to prevent boats carrying asylum-seekers from entering the Australian migration zone. Despite opposition from opinion leaders, the policy is popular with a majority of Australians. This is not surprising. Support for such a policy has been building throughout the 25 year period. This support is not based in racism as some critics allege; rather it reflects the importance of borders in maintaining a strong sense of national community.