Asylum seekers
Exclusive
International students
Chinese students outnumber others in asylum claims surge
Visas for Chinese students continue to be approved at much higher rates than other source countries. A former top immigration bureaucrat is urging the government to overhaul the system.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest
The reality behind the headlines of Indonesia’s people smugglers
The men on Rote Island deny any involvement in two successful boat runs of illegal immigrants to Australia this year, but they know who we need to speak to.
- by Zach Hope
Exclusive
For subscribers
These men watched a croc kill their friend. Australia doesn’t know, and he’s not the first
Faced with diminished fish stocks and what they say are outdated Australian government policies, Indonesian fishermen are risking everything.
- by Zach Hope and Amilia Rosa
Exclusive
Investigations
Fire danger and bits from Bunnings: $50m border boats beset with problems
Insiders claim Australian Border Force’s Cape-class boats are plagued with dangerous issues. An investigation has revealed one was out of action when a people-smuggling vessel landed in Western Australia.
- by Nick McKenzie, Zach Hope, Garry McNab and Amilia Rosa
Exclusive
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘Afraid and traumatised’: One in four Palestinians claiming asylum in Australia
The push for permanent protection for some temporary visa holders is a fresh test of Labor’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- by Angus Thompson and Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Federal budget
Mothballing Nauru’s detention centre could save $250 million in a year
Home Affairs expects the centre to move from an “active state” to “enduring capability” – empty but operated by a skeleton staff.
- by Olivia Ireland, James Massola and Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Border security
Third boat arrival detected in a week, but no one taken to Nauru
Four Vietnamese asylum seekers intercepted by Border Force off the coast of Broome last week were detained after 38 people from two other boats were also picked up.
- by Angus Thompson and James Massola
People-smuggling boat carrying Chinese stopped en route to Australia
The group was discovered near the city of Kupang, and believed to be heading to Australia.
- by Zach Hope and Karuni Rompies
EU approves new laws to address illegal migration – few admit to being happy with them
The plan was drawn up after 1.3 million people, mostly those fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, sought refuge in Europe in 2015, overwhelming the EU’s asylum system to collapse.
- by Lorne Cook
Opinion
Immigration
Marketing herself as ‘tougher’ than Dutton is a mistake by Clare O’Neil
In trying to rush through knee-jerk legislation, the Albanese government has not merely panicked, but acted in a way designed to create panic.
- by Sam Norton
Chinese men in Indonesia wanted to go by boat to Australia: police
The apparent attempt was thwarted by a tip-off from the Australian Federal Police and the reluctance of local fishermen to make the journey.
- by Zach Hope and Amilia Rosa