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The '''Children Overboard''' affair was an [[Australia]]n [[political controversy]]. In October 2001, during the lead-up to a federal election, the Australian government repeatedly claimed that [[refugee|asylum seekers]] on a “[[Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel]]” (SIEV), intercepted by [[HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)|HMAS Adelaide]] off [[Christmas Island]], had thrown a number of children overboard in a presumed ploy to secure rescue and passage onto Australian soil. The vessel, designated SIEV 4, was believed to be operated by [[people smuggling|people smugglers]].
{{pp-protected}}
{{see also|Australian federal election, 2001}}


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The claim was first made by Immigration Minister [[Philip Ruddock]] on 7 October 2001 (the day before writs for the 2001 federal election were issued<ref name=AEC_Writs_2001>[http://aec.gov.au/Elections/Australian_Electoral_History/hodate.htm Election Dates (1901 to Present) - House of Representatives], Australian Electoral Commission</ref>). It was later repeated by other [[Cabinet of Australia|senior government ministers]] including Defence Minister [[Peter Reith]] and [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[John Howard]].<ref name='Insight20011108'>
The '''Children Overboard''' affair was an [[Australia]]n [[political controversy]] involving public allegations by ministers of the Australian government, in the lead-up to a federal election, that sea-faring [[refugee|asylum seekers]] had thrown children overboard in a presumed ploy to secure rescue and passage to Australia.
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{{cite web

⚫
The government's handling of this and other events involving [[unauthorised arrival]]s worked to its advantage. The [[MV Tampa|Tampa incident]] had led the government to adopt stricter [[border control|border protection]] measures to prevent [[unauthorised arrival]]s from reaching Australia by boat. Polls indicated the measures had public support. The government was able to portray itself as "strong" on border protection measures and opponents as "weak". In November 2001, the Liberal-National coalition was [[Australian federal election, 2001|re-elected]] with an increased majority.

⚫
It was later found by [[Australian Senate|Senate]] inquiry that the "Children Overboard" claim was untrue and that the government knew this prior to the election. The government attracted criticism that it had misled the public and cynically "exploited voters' fears of a wave of illegal immigrants by demonising asylum-seekers".<ref name='TheAust_MegalFeb2006'/>.

Although unknown whether sabotage caused the eventual sinking of the asylum seeker vessel<ref name='SMH20060228_MarrTruthOverboard'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/truth-overboard--the-story-that-wont-go-away/2006/02/27/1141020023654.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
| title=Truth overboard : the story that won't go away
| work=Sydney Morning Herald
| publisher=Fairfax
| author=David Marr
| date=2006-02-28
}}</ref>, in 2007 Australian Prime Minister John Howard maintained "they irresponsibly sank the damn boat, which put their children in the water" and "they did sink the boat".<ref name='TheAust_MegalFeb2006'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18282114-28097,00.html
| title=They sank the boat, Howard says
| author=George Megalogenis
| work=The Australian
| date=27 February 2006
}}</ref>

==Background==
⚫
In early October 2001, [[refugee|asylum seekers]] on a “[[Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel]]” (SIEV) were intercepted by [[HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)|HMAS Adelaide]] off [[Christmas Island]]. The vessel, designated SIEV 4, was believed to be operated by [[people smuggling|people smugglers]].

⚫
Immigration Minister [[Philip Ruddock]] announced on 7 October 2001 (the day before writs for the 2001 federal election were issued<ref name=AEC_Writs_2001>[http://aec.gov.au/Elections/Australian_Electoral_History/hodate.htm Election Dates (1901 to Present) - House of Representatives], Australian Electoral Commission</ref>) that passengers of SIEV 4 had thrown children overboard. It was later repeated by other [[Cabinet of Australia|senior government ministers]] including Defence Minister [[Peter Reith]] and [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[John Howard]].<ref name='Insight20011108'>
⚫
{{ cite news
| title = John Howard Interview
| title = John Howard Interview
| author = Jenny Brockie
| first = Jenny
| last = Brockie
| publisher = SBS Insight
| publisher = SBS Insight
| date = [[8 November]] [[2001]]
| date = [[8 November]] [[2001]]
Line 35: Line 11:
| accessdate = 2007-09-20 }}
| accessdate = 2007-09-20 }}
</ref><ref name='Senate_MainReport_ExecSumm'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/a06.htm Main Report - Executive Summary], Select Committee on a certain maritime incident</ref>
</ref><ref name='Senate_MainReport_ExecSumm'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/a06.htm Main Report - Executive Summary], Select Committee on a certain maritime incident</ref>

⚫
The government's handling of this and other recent events involving [[unauthorised arrival]]s worked in its favour. The [[MV Tampa|Tampa incident]] had led the government to adopt stricter [[border control|border protection]] measures to prevent [[unauthorised arrival]]s from reaching Australia by boat. Polls indicated the measures had public support. The government was able to portray itself as "strong" on border protection measures and opponents as "weak". In November 2001, the Liberal-National coalition was [[Australian federal election, 2001|re-elected]] with an increased majority.

⚫
A [[Australian Senate|Senate]] select committee inquiry later found that the "Children Overboard" claim was untrue and that the government knew this prior to the election. The government attracted criticism that it had misled the public and cynically "exploited voters' fears of a wave of illegal immigrants by demonising asylum-seekers".<ref name='TheAust_MegalFeb2006'/>

While it remains uncertain whether sabotage caused SIEV 4 to sink<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/truth-overboard--the-story-that-wont-go-away/2006/02/27/1141020023654.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 Truth overboard : the story that won't go away], SMH, David Marr, 28 Feb 2006</ref>, in an interview for a book, ''The Howard Factor'', John Howard maintained "they irresponsibly sank the damn boat, which put their children in the water" and "they did sink the boat".<ref name='TheAust_MegalFeb2006'>[http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18282114-28097,00.html They sank the boat, Howard says], George Megalogenis, The Australian, 27 February 2006</ref>


==Senate inquiry findings==
==Senate inquiry findings==


A Senate select committee inquiry, composed mainly of non-government senators, found that no children were thrown overboard from SIEV 4; that the evidence did not support the Children Overboard claim; and that the [http://www.truthoverboard.com/photos.html photographs] purported to show children thrown into the sea were taken after SIEV 4 sank.<ref name='Senate_MainReport_ExecSumm'/> In response, Howard said that he acted on the intelligence he was given at the time.
The Senate inquiry found that no children were thrown overboard from SIEV 4; that the evidence did not support the Children Overboard claim; and that the [http://www.truthoverboard.com/photos.html photographs] purported to show children thrown into the sea were taken after SIEV 4 sank.<ref name='Senate_MainReport_ExecSumm'/> In response, Howard said that he acted on the intelligence he was given at the time.


A minority dissenting report, authored by government senators on the committee, found that passengers aboard other SIEVs had threatened children, sabotaged their own vessels, committed [[self-harm]] and, in the case of [[SIEV-7]] on [[22 October]], thrown a child overboard who was rescued by another asylum seeker.<ref name='DissentReport1'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/f04.htm Government Members Report - Appendix I - The Pattern of Conduct], Select Committee on a certain maritime incident</ref><ref name='SMH20021024_MinoritySenators'>{{ cite news
An appendix to the report, compiled from eyewitness evidence to the inquiry, noted that passengers aboard other SIEVs had threatened children, sabotaged their own vessels, committed [[self-harm]] and, in the case of [[SIEV-7]] on [[22 October]], thrown a child overboard who was rescued by another asylum seeker.<ref name='AnyPrevious'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/maritime_incident_ctte/report/f04.htm Government Members Report - Appendix I - The Pattern of Conduct], Select Committee on a certain maritime incident</ref>
| url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/23/1034561551340.html
| title=Liberal senators slam children overboard inquiry
| work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]
| author=Cynthia Banham
| date=2002-10-24
}}</ref>


==Scrafton revelations==
==Scrafton revelations==


In August 2004, [[Michael Scrafton]], a former senior advisor to Peter Reith, revealed that he told John Howard on 7 November 2001 that the Children Overboard claim was untrue.<ref name='ABC20040816_WorldTodayScrafton'>{{ cite news
In August 2004, [[Michael Scrafton]], a former senior advisor to Peter Reith, revealed that he told John Howard on 7 November 2001 that the Children Overboard claim was untrue.<ref name='Scrafton_Aug2004'>[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1177463.htm Mike Scrafton speaks live about children overboard affair]. Transcript from interview by Catherine McGrath, ''The World Today'', ABC Radio (16 August, 2004)</ref> Howard said they only discussed the inconclusive nature of the video footage.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1177964.htm Howard pressured over 'children overboard' knowledge], Greg Jennett, ABC Lateline (16 August 2004)</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/08/16/1177170.htm ALP wants new kids overboard probe], ABC News, 16 August 2004</ref>
| url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1177463.htm
| title=Mike Scrafton speaks live about children overboard affair
| author=Catherine McGrath
| work=The World Today
| publisher=ABC Radio
| date=2004-08-16
}}</ref> Howard said they only discussed the inconclusive nature of the video footage.<ref name='ABC20040816_Lateline'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1177964.htm
| title=Howard pressured over 'children overboard' knowledge
| author=Greg Jennett
| work=Lateline
| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation
| date=2004-08-16
}}</ref><ref name='ABC20040816_NewsKidsOverboard'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/08/16/1177170.htm
| title=ALP wants new kids overboard probe
| work=ABC News
| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation
| date=2004-08-16
}}</ref>


The Senate inquiry was reopened to hear Scrafton's testimony<ref name='MainReport2'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/scrafton_ctte/ Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence], 9 December 2004</ref> and subsequently found his claims to be credible.<ref name='ABC20041209_WorldToday'>{{ cite news
The Senate inquiry was reopened to hear Scrafton's testimony<ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/scrafton_ctte/ Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence], 9 December 2004</ref> and subsequently found his claims to be credible.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1261514.htm Senate inquiry finds Scrafton's children overboard evidence credible], The World Today, ABC Local Radio (9 December 2004)</ref> Government committee members questioned the reliability of Scrafton's testimony, including that he had spoken with Howard three times on the telephone when records showed that they spoke twice, and wrote a minority dissenting report challenging the finding.<ref name='DissentReport2'>[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/scrafton_ctte/report/d01.htm Government Senators' Report], Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence (9 December 2004)</ref>
| url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1261514.htm
| title=Senate inquiry finds Scrafton's children overboard evidence credible
| publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] Local Radio
| work=The World Today
| author=Alexandra Kirk
| date=2004-12-09
}}</ref> Government committee members questioned the reliability of Scrafton's testimony, including that he had spoken with Howard three times on the telephone when records showed that they spoke twice, and wrote a minority dissenting report challenging the finding.<ref name='DissentReport2'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/scrafton_ctte/report/d01.htm
| title=Government Senators' Report
| publisher=Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence
| date=2004-12-09
}}</ref>


Scrafton's revelation and the reopening of the inquiry occurred close to the announcement of the [[Australian federal election, 2004|2004 Federal election]]. The Children Overboard affair received widespread coverage and discussion within political and media circles and was a central theme of the Australian Labor Party's 2004 election campaign.<ref name='TheAge_1Sept2004'>{{ cite news
Scrafton's revelation and the reopening of the inquiry occurred close to the announcement of the [[Australian federal election, 2004|2004 Federal election]]. The Children Overboard affair received widespread coverage and discussion within political and media circles and was a central theme of the Australian Labor Party's 2004 election campaign.<ref name='TheAge_1Sept2004'>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/01/1093938945905.html Children overboard to dominate campaign], The Age (1 September 2004)</ref><ref name='TheAge_Hawke2004'>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/24/1093246520431.html?from=storylhs Children overboard the most despicable of lies: Hawke]. Kim Arlington, ''The Age'' (24 August 2004).</ref>
| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/01/1093938945905.html
| title=Children overboard to dominate campaign
| author=AAP
| work=[[The Age]]
| publisher=Fairfax
| date=2004-09-01
}}</ref><ref name='TheAge_Hawke2004'>{{ cite news
| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/24/1093246520431.html?from=storylhs
| title=Children overboard the most despicable of lies: Hawke
| author=Kim Arlington
| work=The Age
| publisher=Fairfax
| date=2004-08-24
}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:05, 17 October 2007

The Children Overboard affair was an Australian political controversy. In October 2001, during the lead-up to a federal election, the Australian government repeatedly claimed that asylum seekers on a “Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel” (SIEV), intercepted by HMAS Adelaide off Christmas Island, had thrown a number of children overboard in a presumed ploy to secure rescue and passage onto Australian soil. The vessel, designated SIEV 4, was believed to be operated by people smugglers.

The claim was first made by Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock on 7 October 2001 (the day before writs for the 2001 federal election were issued[1]). It was later repeated by other senior government ministers including Defence Minister Peter Reith and Prime Minister John Howard.[2][3]

The government's handling of this and other recent events involving unauthorised arrivals worked in its favour. The Tampa incident had led the government to adopt stricter border protection measures to prevent unauthorised arrivals from reaching Australia by boat. Polls indicated the measures had public support. The government was able to portray itself as "strong" on border protection measures and opponents as "weak". In November 2001, the Liberal-National coalition was re-elected with an increased majority.

A Senate select committee inquiry later found that the "Children Overboard" claim was untrue and that the government knew this prior to the election. The government attracted criticism that it had misled the public and cynically "exploited voters' fears of a wave of illegal immigrants by demonising asylum-seekers".[4]

While it remains uncertain whether sabotage caused SIEV 4 to sink[5], in an interview for a book, The Howard Factor, John Howard maintained "they irresponsibly sank the damn boat, which put their children in the water" and "they did sink the boat".[4]

Senate inquiry findings

The Senate inquiry found that no children were thrown overboard from SIEV 4; that the evidence did not support the Children Overboard claim; and that the photographs purported to show children thrown into the sea were taken after SIEV 4 sank.[3] In response, Howard said that he acted on the intelligence he was given at the time.

An appendix to the report, compiled from eyewitness evidence to the inquiry, noted that passengers aboard other SIEVs had threatened children, sabotaged their own vessels, committed self-harm and, in the case of SIEV-7 on 22 October, thrown a child overboard who was rescued by another asylum seeker.[6]

Scrafton revelations

In August 2004, Michael Scrafton, a former senior advisor to Peter Reith, revealed that he told John Howard on 7 November 2001 that the Children Overboard claim was untrue.[7] Howard said they only discussed the inconclusive nature of the video footage.[8][9]

The Senate inquiry was reopened to hear Scrafton's testimony[10] and subsequently found his claims to be credible.[11] Government committee members questioned the reliability of Scrafton's testimony, including that he had spoken with Howard three times on the telephone when records showed that they spoke twice, and wrote a minority dissenting report challenging the finding.[12]

Scrafton's revelation and the reopening of the inquiry occurred close to the announcement of the 2004 Federal election. The Children Overboard affair received widespread coverage and discussion within political and media circles and was a central theme of the Australian Labor Party's 2004 election campaign.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Election Dates (1901 to Present) - House of Representatives, Australian Electoral Commission
  2. ^ Brockie, Jenny (8 November 2001). "John Howard Interview". SBS Insight. Retrieved 2007-09-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b Main Report - Executive Summary, Select Committee on a certain maritime incident
  4. ^ a b They sank the boat, Howard says, George Megalogenis, The Australian, 27 February 2006
  5. ^ Truth overboard : the story that won't go away, SMH, David Marr, 28 Feb 2006
  6. ^ Government Members Report - Appendix I - The Pattern of Conduct, Select Committee on a certain maritime incident
  7. ^ Mike Scrafton speaks live about children overboard affair. Transcript from interview by Catherine McGrath, The World Today, ABC Radio (16 August, 2004)
  8. ^ Howard pressured over 'children overboard' knowledge, Greg Jennett, ABC Lateline (16 August 2004)
  9. ^ ALP wants new kids overboard probe, ABC News, 16 August 2004
  10. ^ Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence, 9 December 2004
  11. ^ Senate inquiry finds Scrafton's children overboard evidence credible, The World Today, ABC Local Radio (9 December 2004)
  12. ^ Government Senators' Report, Senate Select Committee on the Scrafton Evidence (9 December 2004)
  13. ^ Children overboard to dominate campaign, The Age (1 September 2004)
  14. ^ Children overboard the most despicable of lies: Hawke. Kim Arlington, The Age (24 August 2004).
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