abbott ignorant of immigration law?, page-2

Look again at what Abbott said. He said" arrive illegally" not "illegally request asylum"

Abbott is correct. They arrive ILLEGALLY. So when people say "illegal boat people" they are correct under Article 31 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: Non-penalization, Detention and Protection (first page)

1. Article 31: Refugees unlawfully in the country of refuge
1.1 Introduction

1. Article 31 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees provides as follows:
1. The Contracting States shall not impose penalties, on
account of their illegal entry or presence

2. Despite this provision, asylum seekers are placed in detention facilities throughout Europe, North America, and Australia, owing to their illegal entry or presence.

http://www.spottiswood.com/ftp/sarah/back%20up/PACS%20127%20Human%20rights%20and%20Global%20Politics/document%20about%20detention.pdf