'This is a battle of wills' Malcolm Turnbull

The federal government has announced it will make it illegal for asylum seekers who try to come to Australia by boat to ever enter, even as tourists. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says laws permanently banning refugees and asylum seekers who arriving by boat from entering Australia are in line with international laws. The new laws would see anyone who arrived in Australia by boat from 2013 banned from ever entering the country, including on tourist and business visas. Mr Dutton told ABC News the laws would not break Australia's international obligations in terms of refugee laws. "We are absolutely confident in terms of the constitutionality and that we meet our international obligations," he said. The Immigration Minister would retain the right to allow people into the country if they deem it to be in the public interest.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says there'll be no change to the government's stance on boats. (AAP) Source: Royal Australian Navy