It could have been fixed sooner if the government got Senate support in 2011, but unfortunately for 1,200 souls they didn't.
The key turning point was the High Court decision in 2011 and the governments inability to get Senate support, (25,000+ further arrivals and 1,200 deaths).
Rudd's not to be settled in Australia was brilliant, and is still an important part of deterring boat arrivals, (I would estimate that this policy alone contributes between 80% and 90% of the success in deterring boats).
From what I was told, Turnbull and Trump were discussing the Asylum Seekers going to the US (to keep the not to be settled in Australia policy alive). The discussion was going nowhere, so Turnbull suggested they move on to other topics, at which point, Trump hung up.
