Australian Government Support Falls; Focus On Asylum Seekers
CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Australia's center-left Labor government has suffered a
sharp fall in voter support as it faces growing pressure over its handling of
asylum seekers.
The slump in support comes as Australian authorities search for survivors from
another suspected refugee boat that capsized in the Indian Ocean off the Western
Australian coastline late Sunday and as the government plans to double capacity
at its Christmas Island refugee detention center.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he knows the government's policy isn't popular
but it balances a need to be humane in dealing with asylum seekers while at the
same time taking a hard line against people smugglers.
"I am under no illusions that this policy and our implementation of it have
been in any way popular in the Australian community," Rudd said late Monday.
The government relaxed some rules on asylum applications since taking office
in 2007, creating a perception among refugees that it is easier to relocate to
Australia than elsewhere.
The previous center-right government, led by John Howard, won strong voter
support for a tough stance against asylum seekers trying to enter Australia
illegally by boat.
The latest Newspoll, published in The Australian newspaper Tuesday, shows
public support for the government has fallen to 52% from 59% two weeks ago on a
two-party preferred basis--just four percentage points ahead of the main
conservative opposition Liberal-National coalition on 48%, up from 41%. The
coalition drew level with the government on a primary vote basis, a raw figure
reflecting voters' intentions if an election were held today.
Voters weren't polled directly on their support for the government's asylum
seeker policies.
But the collapse in support comes as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd grapples with a
surge in refugees fleeing areas of conflicts such as Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
and trying to reach Australia by boat.
At least 35 boats carrying close to 1,800 refugees have sought asylum in
Australia so far this year--including five since Oct. 11--compared with just
seven boats carrying a total of 161 people in 2008.
Some other countries also have seen an increase in political refugees this
year, especially in Europe, as residents from Iraq and parts of Africa flee
long-simmering conflicts. But for Asia, Australia is a destination of choice, in
part because its relatively strong economy is still demanding workers at a time
when several Asian nations have been experiencing turmoil.
Rudd's approval rating as preferred prime minister remained solid at 63%, down
two percentage points, compared with conservative opposition leader Malcolm
Turnbull on just 19% support.
-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@
dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-02-091916ET
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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