The Australian Customs Vessel Triton. Source: PerthNow
ELEVEN more Sri Lankans have decided to return home instead of staying in offshore processing - but the government will have to make room for another two new boat arrivals carrying 15 times that amount of people.
The news came as refugee groups yesterday claimed 300 of the 380 asylum seekers on Nauru were prepared to die in a hunger protest that forced 35 people to seek medical aid after the first four days.
But the immigration department insisted the figures were exaggerated because the food being consumed was consistent with only about 100 people protesting and that less than a dozen had required medical assistance.
A department spokesman said the decision by the 11 asylum seekers to return home took the total of Sri Lankans to do so this year to 126.
Five left Perth on Friday while the other six departed Christmas Island on Saturday.
"Regular transfers to Nauru and more Sri Lankans returning home is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers," the spokesman said.
But the decision emerged as Customs and Border Protection confirmed the latest boats - the 103rd and 104th since Labor's backflip and return to offshore processing - had been intercepted over the weekend.
Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said a boat carrying 49 people was discovered northwest of Cocos Keeling Islands on Saturday.
Another 105 people were onboard a boat intercepted in the same spot yesterday.
"People arriving by boat without a visa after August 13, 2012, run the risk of transfer to a regional processing country," he said.
Australia's territorial waters. Graphic: Matt Pike
Opposition customs spokesman Michael Keenan said Labor had lost all credibility on border protection since undoing the Howard government's procedures.
"They gave the kiss of life to a people smuggling trade that had been defeated and they have provided incentives for these criminals to continue with every failed policy," Mr Keenan said.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said the asylum seekers were demanding the closure of the centre, a trip to Australia and the processing of their cases.
He said one Iranian man had not eaten for 24 days.
"It is going to be a long hunger strike. Some people are saying they are willing to strike to the death," Mr Rintoul said.
The department said people in immigration detention could request their removal from Australia at any point.
"Those who choose to depart voluntarily can be provided with individual reintegration support to assist with their sustainable return, through the International Organisation for Migration," the spokesman said.
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