I expect the change will not be in the number of boats so much as their size.
To date the Refugee guide business has been a cottage industry characterised by low capital investment. With greater certainty and faster placement in Australia the industry can become more organised and safer with more capital investment.
There is no reason the industry should not now be able to buy larger and safer vessles carrying more refugees in greater comfort.
Larger steel vessles suitable for single voyages should be relatively easy to source on the international market.
