Fleeing conflict and war, asylum seekers are risking everything they have for new lives in Australia.
Increasing numbers of people, many from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, have entered Australian waters in the past year, putting the Rudd government's border protection policy under increasing pressure.
For most of those traveling by boat, the end of the journey is mandatory detention on remote Christmas Island, nearly a thousand miles from the Australian mainland.
Yet, more and more are making the journey.
On this edition of 101 East we are in Australia to look at one of the toughest immigration policies in the world.
This episode of 101 East airs from Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 1130; Monday: 1630; Tuesday: 1430; Wednesday: 0830; Thursday: 0630.
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