In late August 2001, the Howard government of Australia refused permission for the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa, carrying 433 rescued refugees (predominantly Hazaras of Afghanistan from a distressed fishing vessel in international waters) and 5 crew, to enter Australian waters.[1][2] This triggered an Australian political controversy in the lead-up to the 2001 federal election, and a diplomatic dispute between Australia and Norway.
When Tampa entered Australian waters, the Prime Minister ordered the ship be boarded by Australian special forces. This brought censure from the government of Norway, which said the Australian government failed to meet its obligations to distressed mariners under international law at the United Nations.[3] Within a few days, the government introduced the Border Protection Bill[4] into the House of Representatives, saying it would confirm Australian sovereignty to "determine who will enter and reside in Australia". The government introduced the "Pacific Solution", whereby the asylum seekers were taken to Nauru where their refugee status was considered, rather than in Australia.
- ^ Statement by Australian Ambassador Archived 3 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine, UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 56th SESSION, 27 November 2001
- ^ Sutton, Ron (24 August 2011). "Tampa key players look back". SBS News. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ^ "United Nations General Assembly– Fifty-sixth session" (PDF). United Nations. 27 November 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2006.
- ^ "Border Protection Bill 2001". Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2009.