“The United Nations has warned Australia not to punish people fleeing persecution or deflect its international responsibilities to refugees.
…
Under the changes, anyone entering Australia illegally by boat – whether they make it to the mainland or not – will be sent to one of three offshore immigration detention centres for processing.
The government hopes to send even those found to be genuine refugees to a third country.
But the United Nations refugee agency has raised concerns about the implications of the new hardline policy.” (Age)