In October 2001, more than 400 asylum-seekers departed from Indonesia in a grossly overcrowded, unseaworthy boat bound for Australia. Somewhere between the two countries, however, the boat sank, and 353 people drowned. The Australian government claimed it had no prior knowledge of the unfolding tragedy, yet ministers and senior officials from the beginning tried to mislead the Australian Senate and the community. This book connects the dots to reveal a disquieting record of government misconduct and attempts to answer plaguing questions, such as What did the government and its agencies know about the boat and its fate, and when? Did they have any responsibility for the tragedy? and Did they have a duty of care to save the survivors?
