Amanda Vanstone says Papuan separatists should not try to come to Australian via boat. (File photo)
Last Update: Tuesday, October 3, 2006. 10:16am (AEST)

Vanstone tries to deter further Papuan asylum seekers

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone says she hopes a group of Papuan separatists will not send another boat load of asylum seekers to Australia.

A pro-independence Papuan leader who helped get 43 people to Australia earlier this year says the asylum seekers' journey was planned to bring attention to their independence struggle.

Edison Waromi says preparations are now under way for what he calls another exodus.

Amanda Vanstone says attempting a boat crossing is the least safe way to try to come to Australia.

"We don't support a separate Indonesian West Papua and I don't think Australians want civil unrest on their northern borders," she said.

"So the fact that this has given some people some hope I think is a pretty depressing outcome."