Julian Burnside: Every Immigration Minister since 2002 is guilty of human rights abuses

We need to recognise that the human rights abuses of asylum seekers is our nation’s awful legacy, and Julian Burnside knows who is to blame.

• Paul Gregoire
• The Big Smoke

The Norwegian freighter MV Tampa entered Australian waters on 29 August 2001, carrying 433 asylum seekers who’d been stranded in a fishing boat in the Indian Ocean.

The vessel crossed the maritime boundary close to Christmas Island, despite having been refused entry by Australia.

After a period of being detained at sea, most of the asylum seekers were eventually taken to Nauru.

It was then Prime Minister John Howard who gave the order to…

• Julian Burnside: Every…