The Australian Labor Party has made the assessment that the next election can't be won without adopting the Government's tough turnback the boats policy. As a result despite years of criticism of Tony Abbott's policy both before it was implemented and since, Labor now agree with it and both major parties are at one.
It is without question a backflip, but one the party believes it can live with.
As part of the policy Labor has committed to doubling the refugee intake to 27,000, ending Temporary Protection Visas and increasing funding to the UNHCR the UN's refugee agency by $450 million.
At the ALP National Conference Opposition leader Bill Shorten outlined his policy.
"A Labor Government must have the option of turning boats around, when it is safe," he said.
"I say today that by 2025 a Labor Government will double Australia's annual humanitarian refugee intake to 27,000 people.
"And because Labor believes in showing leadership in our region, we will dedicate a portion of our program to resettling refugees from our region.
"We will abolish temporary protection visas which trap people in that unfair state of limbo.
"We will reinstate the UN refugee convention in the Migration Act to reverse the Abbott Government's retrograde efforts to undermine international law.
Opposition front benchers at the first session of the 2015 ALP National Conference Source: AAP
"And at a time when international humanitarian need is greater than ever, when we have all been witness to the shocking images of deaths in the Mediterranean this year."
A Labor Government will deliver historic $450 million contribution to the UN high commissioner for refugees, boosting the capacity of the UNHCR in South East Asia and the Pacific. '
In a speech to delegates on day two of the ALP's National Conference in Melbourne, Bill Shorten described his approach as 'humane and safer' than that of the Abbott Government which implemented the turnback policy when it won office in 2013.
He acknowledged divisions in the party but also spoke of his belief that this is the right approach.
"I want to be honest with you and through you honest with the Australian people," he said.
"I do believe in a new direction for Labor's immigration policies.
"I want us to accept more refugees and ensure that we treat refugees more humanely.
"I also want to guarantee that we keep closed the lethal journey between Java and Christmas Island which has already claimed so many lives.
"I stand here before you as the alternative Prime Minister of Australia to explain how I have arrived at my position.
"I believe that Australia can be the greater, kinder nation that we want our children to see."
When it comes to selling Labor's policy on refugees to the Australian community, the biggest test for Labor will be in the inner-city electorates of big cities - such as Sydney and Melbourne - where the Greens will campaign fiercely against Labor on asylum policy.
Dr Nick Economou from Monash University said one seat in particular to watch will be that of Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek's seat of Sydney.
"It is the ALP's next most marginal seat," he told SBS on the sidelines of the ALP confernce.
"The Greens will campaign hard there but in the outer suberbs this policy will be popular."
