Australia’s Immigration Minister says the country would deport dozens more rejected asylum seekers if not for the political self-interest of federal opposition leader Tony Abbott.

 

A further 20 Sri Lankans have been sent home after their asylum seeker claims were rejected, bringing to 936 the number of Sri Lankan asylum seekers returned since August 13.

 

But Brendan O’Connor said that number would be a lot higher without the obstruction of Abbott and the opposition.

 

“We have sent more people back in this manner than the entire period of the Howard government. This is the most effective means by which we can do that,” O’Connor told reporters in Perth.

 

“We could return more, and deter people getting on these vessels, if Tony Abbott would put the national interest ahead of his own interest.

 

“My real concern is that Tony Abbott does not support the Malaysian arrangement not because it won’t work but because he fears that it will.

 

Of those returned to Sri Lanka, 756 have been returned involuntarily, the government said.

 

“This sends the most powerful message one can send to those people who are looking to come in a dangerous fashion to Australia,” O’Connor said.

 

“To those people who would get on unseaworthy vessels that they should not be giving money to people smugglers, and they should not endanger their lives at sea. We have seen too many fatalities already.” (AAP)