Stranded boatpeople rescued off WA

Australian authorities have rescued 54 suspected asylum seekers whose boat broke
down more than 500km from land.
The passengers were dehydrated and seasick but all survived the incident.
Their boat was spotted drifting in the Indian Ocean, 550km north of the Cocos
Islands, on Saturday afternoon.
Its engines had failed.
Authorities dropped water and food to the stricken boat and enlisted the help of a
commercial vessel, which stayed in the vicinity overnight to offer assistance.
An Australian customs vessel made it to the ship on Sunday and rescued all the
passengers.
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor said the rescue highlighted the dangers
of people smuggling.
"These types of voyages are extremely dangerous and drownings at sea are not
uncommon," he said.
"The majority of vessels arriving in Australia have been arranged by criminal
syndicates attracted by large profits ... they operate with enormous risks and with
little regard for the safety of their passengers."
The passengers are on their way to Christmas Island where they will have health and
security checks.
Approximately 1,350 people have arrived on 25 unauthorised boats so far this year.
Six boats have arrived in the past fortnight.
The arrivals have sparked a political row in Canberra, where the opposition has
accused the government of going soft on border protection.
The Rudd government softened some aspects of the Howard government's border
protection policy, saying it was a more humane approach.
The government says it is not border rules driving asylum seekers, but troubles in
their home countries.