$12 million: The high cost of not stopping the boat

By Sarah Whyte and Fergus Hunter
Updated August 30 2014 - 10:13am, first published 12:15am
The Australian Customs and Border Protection vessel Ocean Protector waits on standby in Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. Photo: Wolter Peeters
The Australian Customs and Border Protection vessel Ocean Protector waits on standby in Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. Photo: Wolter Peeters

The Abbott government's failed attempt to return 157 asylum seekers to India cost taxpayers more than $12 million, as passengers were kept captive on the high seas for nearly a month before being brought to the Australian mainland.

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