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Cabinet Papers reveal how far Howard Government went to keep asylum seekers out

John Howard during his Prime Ministership

John Howard during his Prime Ministership Source: Getty / TORSTEN BLACKWOOD

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Government documents from 2002 - kept secret until now - have revealed the lengths the Howard government went to, to keep asylum seekers from reaching the Australian mainland, despite cost and human rights concerns. The cabinet papers provide rare insight into how national security concerns shaped immigration policies - many of which are still in place today.

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