ALEXANDRA KIRK: And how long before, do you think, the boats slow down, considering that you think that conditions in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are improving?
CHRIS EVANS: Well, I think we obviously have to see how things develop. I think we're still going to see fairly strong numbers of arrivals in the, in the short term. But clearly if the situation is that people are increasingly found not to be refugees then you'd expect, expect that to slow.
What an incredible piece of spin! The truth in that response IMO is that once they start sending back Sri Lankan's the word will get out Australia is taking a harder line and the asylum seekers will instead travel to countries with softer policies like Canada.
Smith though would like you to believe things have improved (from what?) in Sri Lanka which is true, but what he hasn't said is this has been known well before last xmas.
Truth is they are only talking about sending more back because it is hurting them in an election year and Smith needs a good reason to appease the left so they can maintain their support.
Good politics on Labors behalf but dirty spin at the EOD.
