Brighton Mayor Tony Foster
Union boss Kevin Harkins, left
• ABC Online: Political storm brews over asylum boat tragedy:
The asylum seeker debate is likely to dominate when federal Parliament resumes this week in the wake of the deadly boat capsize off Christmas Island.
Investigations are now underway after a boat carrying 200 asylum seekers overturned north of Christmas Island on Thursday, sparking a three-day search and recovery mission.
Australian authorities rescued 110 people and found 17 bodies, but up to 90 people are feared dead.
Up to 70 asylum seekers remain unaccounted for but it is unlikely their bodies will ever be found.
After the disaster politicians from both major parties appealed for a compromise on asylum seeker policy.
The major parties have been in a stalemate for months after talks broke down over offshore processing.
Labor politicians and Coalition backbenchers including Mal Washer have called for the Opposition to reconsider support for the Government’s so-called Malaysia solution.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr saying “the time is now” to put the plan in place, but chances of a compromise appear to be slim.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, meanwhile, is refusing to back down on his hardline on offshore policy.
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