A group of 26 people who had arrived at Cocos and Christmas islands by boat have been deported, announced Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.
Bowen said of the deportees:
"They did not make any case, any claims, which meant Australia had any international obligation to them.”
Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard said on Thursday that people attempting to enter Australia without a credible claim should be returned to where they came from.
It is also reported that the opposition spokesman for immigration, Scott Morrison said it was “about time” the government sent Sri Lankans home, saying:
"It took a boatload of pirates and constant pressure from the opposition to shake this government into action," Mr Morrison said. "We're not going to quibble over the detail here, so long as the government follows through."
Australia’s stance on deportations to Sri Lanka comes as a contrast to recent injunctions in the UK to stop deportations based on appeals that deportees may be tortured upon their return.
