Organised by the Refugee Action Campaign (RAC) Canberra, the memorial service on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin honoured the victims of what the group described as a 'preventable tragedy.' The 20-metre boat, carrying more than 400 people, sank when its engine failed in rough seas. Forty-five survivors were rescued by Indonesian fishing boats more than 20 hours later.
The SIEV X tragedy unfolded weeks after the Howard government refused entry to the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa, which was carrying over 400 rescued asylum seekers. The Tampa affair hardened the government's stance on asylum seekers during the 2001 federal election campaign.
Twenty-five years on, questions still surround the disaster. Many victims have never been publicly identified, and no full judicial inquiry has ever been held. The memorial in Weston Park features wooden poles, decorated by school, church and community groups, each marking one person who died.
The RAC said the service allowed attendees 'to stand in solidarity with [the victims'] loved ones, and to show support and compassion for refugees and people seeking asylum.' The group added that in the current political environment, 'in which migrants and refugees are being blamed by politicians with nothing else to offer,' the memorial remains as relevant as ever.