From the second half of 2009 there has been a polarised and emotional debate in Australia sparked by the arrival of asylum seekers by boat.
To further understanding of the asylum issue, the Scanlon Foundation surveys first considered if Australians drew a distinction between asylum seekers applying overseas and those who arrived in Australian waters by boat and then claimed asylum. In 2011 more than two out of three (73%) respondents were positive to asylum seekers who arrived after having been assessed overseas.