The Wire

Poor crewmen on asylum seeker boats are being hit hard by new federal laws targeting people smugglers. The tougher legislation includes a five year minimum sentence for anyone involved in soliciting illegal refugees. Over 200, predominantly poor Indonesian fisherman have already been arrested and are due to be sentenced soon. The new legislation has sparked criticism over the cost to tax payers and the burden it will put on overcrowded state and territory jails. Jon Tippet is a Darwin QC who has worked on several cases involving Indonesian crewmen.