"It is relevant to note that the Immigration Minister has acknowledged the small scale of the problem in Australia compared to countries in Europe and other parts of the world. It is also worth noting that the majority of onshore asylum seekers actually arrive in Australia by air with a valid visa and then apply for onshore protection at some stage after their arrival—in 2009–10 unauthorised boat arrivals made up 47 per cent of onshore asylum seekers in Australia, an increase from 16 per cent in 2008–09 but still less than half. In spite of this, the debate continues to focus on those asylum seekers arriving without authorisation by boat."
