Immigration Minister warns on comfort level

IMMIGRATION Minister Chris Bowen says people feel less comfortable about increasing migration when borders are not secure.

Julia Gillard and Chris Bowen

IMMIGRATION Minister Chris Bowen has admitted Australians feel less comfortable about increasing the migration program when our borders are not secure.

Speaking to the National Press Club, Mr Bowen conceded the near-record number of boat arrivals this year would affect public opinion on migration.

"It's important in relation to public support for the overall migration program that there's public confidence in border protection," he said.

"That was one of the reasons, for example, I argued successfully before Labor's national conference that we should adopt a clear policy of offshore processing, which was a significant step for a Labor Party conference to take.

He said he had also argued that he wanted to build support for migration generally.

For the first time since August 2001 - when 433 asylum seekers arrived aboard the Tampa - boat arrivals this month passed 1000.

A Quantum Market Research survey shows 51 per cent of 2000 people surveyed supported closing the borders to all migrants.