Sydney Morning Herald | Boat people number down but indefinite detainees up Sydney Morning Herald THE number of asylum seekers coming to Australia has dropped by 9 per cent, at the same time as global asylum seeker flows increased by 20 per cent. Three boats have arrived near Christmas Island since Sunday carrying more than 250 asylum seekers. boat load biggest in two years Australian asylum seekers blow budget as vessel carrying 175 people northwest ... Grave fears as huge boatload arrives |