In 2007, Labor leader Kevin Rudd's promise of a new 'tough but humane' approach for dealing with asylum seekers was a key point of difference between the two major parties that arguably contributed to his rise to power. It was the perceived failure of this strategy, among other things, that saw him replaced as Prime Minister by his deputy, Julia Gillard, in 2010. In 2013, during his second term as Prime Minister, the substantial increase…
