This, while containing a bit of politics, might provide some explanation.
Desperate asylum seekers still willing to risk death to get to land of milk and honey Asylum seekers are still hoping to find a better life in Australia. Picture: EPA Asylum seekers not deterred by boat tragedy
ASYLUM seekers say the Indonesian boat disaster that killed about 185 people will not deter others trying to reach Australia.
Fishermen tell of saving refugees
Pulling in as many people as their tiny fishing boat could hold, captain "Jambe" speaks about how strong winds and rough seas forced them to leave people behind.
Survivors have described what they think is a utopian land where they will play sport and surf the net and see long-lost relatives.
As Prime Minister Julia Gillard faced increasing pressure from some in her own party to overhaul her border protection stance, the search continued near Java for about 185 asylum seekers feared dead.
More survivors found
Authorities have rescued 34 people from the sea, and there were reports last night of another 18 migrants being found alive by a coal ship near Musabarong Island.
Fairfax media was reporting that 13 more survivors had been found 200km from the site of the tragedy.
Search and rescue personnel described the possible discovery as "remarkable" given how far they would have drifted.
As the frantic rescue mission continues, there are fears for those left behind, especially young children.
Survivor Syed Muhammad Zia, a young man from Pakistan, told of the horror.
"Most of the people came out through the windows and died in front of our eyes," 33-year-old Noruz told The Australian (subscribers).
"I saw their dead bodies floating on the sea. We witnessed all of this, all of this madness and death."
'Promised land'
Desperate survivors in Indonesia have told of their belief that Australia is a promised land and they would spend just one month on Christmas Island.
Esmat Adine, 24, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan said he "tried to find a suitable and legal way" but after being told he wouldn't be eligible for a student visa to Deakin University until 2013 - and fearing for his life - he fled to Jakarta.
"I was arrested by the Taliban last year and imprisoned for 16 days where they beat me and made me sleep on a dead body," he said.
"I registered with UNHCR in Jakarta who said it could take one year but I have a wife and three-month-old daughter at home and this is the quickest way.
"We had to go so we decided to go the quickest way. There are many, many people. They are waiting in Jakarta, waiting for the boat. Most of them, they are sure they will get to Australia.
"If Australia does not accept our request now, we will do (it) again because we have nothing."
Children left orphaned
Among the harrowing accounts of the lives they left behind and the two days spent crowded on a 15m wooden boat before it capsized was Atena Hardina, 10, whose parents and younger sister, 8, are feared drowned.
Holed up in the Grand Mansion Hotel at Blitar, in East Java, the orphaned girl is one of only three children and two females among the 34 rescued asylum seekers and is being cared for by men she first met boarding a bus in the cover of darkness in Jakarta.
Through an interpreter she said her father knew "completely" about Julia Gillard and was told by her parents they would live in Sydney, play sport, "express her intelligence" and have a "bright" future.
Most survivors said they had paid $US4000-$6500 to agents in Jakarta working on behalf of smugglers and were willing to take their chance because of stories they had heard about Australia from friends and family already here.
Some, like Iranians Mehdi Asgari, 27, Morteza Mami, 21, and Mohammad Hussain Aslan, 25, have relatives on Christmas Island.
"He said one of his friend went about six months ago and another a year ago," Mr Adine said translating for Mr Mami.
"His friend tell him to go to Australia, they were completely satisfied with their conditions on Christmas Island, they play sport, have internet, can study, it is very good."
Policy debate
The debate about how to deter people risking lives at sea continued in Australia yesterday, although most politicians stuck to their refugee policy mantras.
Privately, some MPs conceded the stalemate over the Malaysian solution and offshore policies could not last.
One Labor backbencher told the Herald Sun that although "careers are on the line", the Government should reassess the issue and bring a blank canvas.
"The problem is, people have dug themselves into positions ... in the short term it will be more boats coming and more people dying," the backbencher said.
The Government was firm on its Malaysian people swap policy, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.
"We haven't pursued offshore processing for fun or because it was good for us politically," he said.
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said the Coalition would not compromise on its call for a Nauru processing centre, temporary protection visas and turning boats back.
Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said her party would not consider offshore processing of claims, but also said more was needed to stop people getting on boats.
