Tampering with Border Protection: The Legal and Policy Implications of the Voyage of the MV Tampa

While the events of 11 September 200 1 and the "children overboard incident" have overshadowed it in the popular press, the voyage of the MV Tampa in August and September 2001 has had a significant impact upon Australian law and policy. The Tampa incident has seen both a substantial change in Australian law, with alterations to customs and migration legislation, and a dramatic change in Australian policy towards unauthorised boat arrivals. This chapter will consider the incident in some detail, and examine its long-term consequences for Australian offshore law enforcement and policy.