Government introduces new law banning asylum seekers from Australia

The federal government wants to make it illegal for any asylum seekers who were sent to Nauru or Manus Island to ever come to Australia, even as tourists. The federal government wants to pass laws to make sure no asylum seekers who try to come to Australia by boat, even those found to be refugees, can ever enter the country. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the government will enshrine in law what had been a long-standing policy, going back to Kevin Rudd's second prime ministership in 2013. "This is a tough message we are sending to the people smuggling syndicates and those who pay people smugglers to try and enter Australia," she told ABC TV on Sunday. "They will not be settled in Australia and they won't be visiting Australia."

Supplied image of tent accommodation at the federal government's offshore detention centre in Nauru. Source: Department of Immigration