Boat deaths push Australia immigration bill

In what is a second related incident over the past week, a boat believed to be carrying 134 immigrants has capsized off the Coast of Christmas Island, which is located between Australia and Indonesia.

Four are believed to be dead, while 130 were rescued in a mission executed by a patrol aircraft and merchant and naval vessels.

The incident, which has continued to fire the debate on Australia's asylum policy, is preceded by a similar occurrence last week, where another boat - this time loaded with around 200 immigrants - capsized in the area on 22 June. During a search that was eventually called off on Saturday, 110 were rescued, while 17 bodies were also recovered.

On the heels of yesterday's rescue mission, the Australian government has moved to amend its detention policy, with Australian prime minister Julia Gillard pushing for legislation which would allow for the offshore processing of asylum seekers.

The bill, which was passed in the lower house yesterday, is currently being debated in the upper house. However, the consensus appears to be that it might not survive the crucial vote.

Gillard, however, remained adamant about the importance of the bill, describing it as the only viable position politicians can push for "in all good conscience".

"I don't want to see a 13-year-old girl drown at sea in the weeks between now and when this parliament comes back in the spring. I don't want to see that," she said.