The Australian Federal Police believe the death toll from the boat disaster on Christmas Island is greater than the 30-people already confirmed dead.
Police forward commander Superintendent Gavan Ryan says the task of resolving the issue has been complicated by confusing information from survivors.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told ABC Radio today the processing would be done “sensitively” considering what the survivors had been through but normal processes would be followed--Mr Bowen said rescuers are now looking for bodies rather than survivors.
The remaining survivors would be treated on Christmas Island.
Mr Bowen again defended Customs and the navy, following criticism the boat shouldn't have been allowed to reach Christmas Island--"Since 2007 we've only had nine boats make it undetected to offshore islands - "Christmas Island" primarily," he said.
Coalition snubs multi-party plan--Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday announced Labor would set up a multi-party group to steer the nation's response to the Christmas Island boat tragedy.
Labor wants to establish a refugee processing centre on East Timor--Mr Bowen said making Australia's domestic regime harsher wasn't an effective deterrent.
