The largest group of boat people to hit our shores since 2001 arrived in Australia this week…. 83 Sri Lankans, and 2 Indonesians were intercepted by the navy near Christmas Island on Wednesday.

The group has now been transferred to Christmas Island, for health and I-D checks.

The Prime Minister says the men will not be allowed to land on the Australian mainland – he says that sends a clear signal to people smugglers that Australia has a strong, effective border protection policy.

Opposition leader, Kevin Rudd says that if people are fleeing persecution – they should be taken to Christmas Island for processing.

There is talk that the group of 85 could be sent to Indonesia, from where they would have to lodge a claim of asylum with the United Nations – if they want to seek protection in Australia.

But the Refugee Council says Australia should NOT consider returning the men to Indonesia – and then to Sri Lanka – without letting the group put forward a case for protection.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews says “Any suggestion that Australia would agree to an arrangement which would see refugees returned to a country where they face persecution is wrong.”

Is Australia’s treatment of boat people fair?

• The Democrats say there could be Tamils on board whose lives would be at risk if they were returned to Sri Lanka

• Senator Andrew Bartlett says for the government to even contemplate sending the asylum seekers back without a proper assessment is a ‘complete and utter disgrace’.

What do you think?