3 Sep 2013

Refugee advocates angered by Australian election policies.

10:28 pm on 3 September 2013

Refugee advocates in Australia are angry, and disappointed, that both major parties there have adopted harsh policies on asylum seekers who arrive by boat.

Brisbane Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Network convenor Peter Arndt says he's appalled by the approach taken by both parties.

Mr Arndt says Labor has taken the question of boat people off the agenda by adopting similar policies to the Coalition.

Sydney-based Refugee Council of Australia chief executive Paul Power says Labor and the Coalition are pandering to the worries of just a small group of Australians.

Mr Power says most voters worry far more about other issues which the parties refuse to address.