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:

View the story "Asylum by boat? Not in Australia" on StorifyAsylum by boat? Not in AustraliaGovernment campaign warning potential asylum-seekers sparks backlash.Storified by The Stream· Mon, Jul 22 2013 12:05:50If you come by boat without a visa, you won't be resettled in Australia. The rules have now changed. http://pic.twitter.com/FXE1Tbuc8utwitter.comThe photo prompted an outpouring of criticism on Twitter: We are a country of cruel, xenophobic hypocrites. #auspolMayaHey brown people, make sure you show these posters to your criminal families http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/19/immigration-department-asylu... #vomitsJohn BJust a nonsensical, absurdly xenophobic policy. This will be remembered in the same vein as the white Australia policy: an abomination.Brendan MolloyThe "By boat, no visa" campaign video has versions in English, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Sinhalese, Tamil, and Vietnamese.By boat, no visanotopeoplesmugglingThe outcry increased after the DOIC posted blurred photos of a group of Iranian asylum-seeks awaiting transfer to Papua New Guinea. newsroom.immi.gov.aunewsroom.immi.gov.auMany felt the photos were distasteful:Posting these pics is heartless and abusive RT @HouseofWelcome: Creepy photos out of DIAC. Upsetting, really.Elenie PoulosThere's PRESS PHOTOS about BEING AWFUL!?RT @upulie Australia, what is it with you? Why are you like this? http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/first-group-of-asylum-seekers-tra... HaylockHuman rights failure. PR failure. Great work Australia RT “@jessradio: Gross "A female asylum seeker comes to terms..http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/first-group-of-asylum-seekers-tra... BrennanSome voiced concern about the plight of asylum-seekers who are transferred to Papua New Guinea:The people of PNG have 1 doctor per 17,068 people vs 1 per 302 in Australia. Yet its PNG that we will dump the care of our #refugees on.ASRCMilne: You get jailed in PNG for 14yrs for being a homosexual. Is this where Australia should be sending asylum seekers?Joe O'BrienWe get asylum seekers from PNG. Now we plan to send to them there. Talk about breaching fundamental international obligations. #qandaSenthorun RajOthers agreed with the government's new policy: If they know they're going to PNG, boat people won't risk coming here. it's cutting down the number of boats. #QandAAndres Galban@KenRoth West has been overgenerous to 'asylum seekers', willfully endangering cultural cohesion and increasing potential security risks.sergei@PhilALynch @KenRoth With numbers escalating, what is the 'right' or acceptable number? Or is there no limit? More that come, more that dieJohn PsaltisMany online shared infographics that show the percentage of asylum-seekers arriving by boat and how Australia compares to other countries.theantibogan.wordpress.comtheantibogan.wordpress.com

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