It's a long story. I have only included some paragraphs to highlight the point I am trying to make.

Onshore processing greatly increased the lure to incur debts to pay for the dangerous trip

The only reason why they would do this is so they can go onto the onshore processing waiting list

Gillard and the Greens are to be blamed


http://www.theage.com.au/world/i-know-they-will-come-for-me-20130320-2gfoj.html

Suresh was involuntarily returned to Sri Lanka from Australia on November 30 last year. He maintains that his claim for asylum was not properly heard and that during his single interview his political background was ignored.

He had a job before he left, but the stigma of now being a ''failed'' asylum seeker keeps people from hiring him. His children are bullied at school.

''The constitution says there are some legal implications for people who leave the country illegally, but we have relaxed that a lot. People will have to appear before a magistrate, but many have been pardoned; it is an understanding between the two countries.''

For now, the boats have stopped leaving Sri Lanka. Last year, 6428 Sri Lankans arrived on Australian shores seeking asylum. So far this year, there have been 45.

The office of the Immigration Minister believes the government's policies, particularly offshore processing and the rapid return of asylum seekers judged not to engage Australia's protection obligations, are beginning to act as deterrents to people leaving Sri Lanka.

Nine hundred and thirty six men have been returned to Sri Lanka since offshore processing was restarted in August, 735 of those against their will, with no resettlement assistance.

''I have lost everything, I have no job, I have debt, and my problems are not gone. Before I left, I thought my life could not be any worse. But now it is.''