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Jul 22

Asylum by boat? Not in Australia

Government campaign warning potential asylum-seekers sparks backlash.


A woman holds a poster during a rally in support of asylum seekers in central Sydney July 20, 2013 (REUTERS/Munoz). 

Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DOIC) has a new message for asylum-seekers who arrive by boat: "You won't be settled in Australia". A controversial media campaign outlines the country's new policy of transferring refugees and asylum-seekers who arrive by boat to Papua New Guinea. Many Australians responded with harsh criticism for both the policy and the campaign.

Backlash began after the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's communications manager tweeted the following message and picture:
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