Julian Burnside QC: May I start by welcoming on behalf of all of you those in the crowd who are refugees, and especially the ones who arrived here on Tampa. Five years ago today the Palapa sank, and [433] people risked drowning.

The Tampa, a Norwegian ship, acting in the highest traditions of maritime law and history, rescued them; rescued them at the request of the Australian Government. But because a number of them were ill it was important to take them to shore, and the nearest port of call was Christmas Island, which is a part of Australia.

The Australian Government refused to let the Tampa land. Instead of sending the medical help they promised, they sent the SAS. The SAS stormed the ship in what was almost certainly an act of piracy, and they held the Tampa hostage until on the third day of the hearing, on the Sunday, the government announced the Pacific Solution.

John Howard announced on that day that the people rescued by Tampa would never be allowed to set foot in Australia. And let me say how personally delighted I am that so many of them now have. He also said that they would be taken to the island of Nauru, but that they would be treated with the decency for which Australia is famous. That is Howard's dishonesty, for which he will be famous ...

[Referring later to Philip Ruddock, who as Immigration Minister presided over the regime of mandatory detention and the rest, while still wearing an Amnesty badge] Philip Ruddock is a disgrace to the office he now holds [Attorney-General], and John Howards is a disgrace to his office.