THE federal Government has been strongly urged to find an answer to the “appalling loss of life that is becoming a regular occurrence off our shores”.

In making this plea, the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum vice-chair, Kerry Markoulli, said the sinking of a second boat between Indonesia and Christmas Island should bring home to our law-makers that the time for quarrelling and review has well and truly passed.

“While CMCF’s preference would be for on-shore processing, we need a resolution now. The Malaysian Solution would have a significant impact on human rights, but even it offers a way forward. The Pacific Solution or something new and innovative would provide the best solution for all stakeholders, if on-shore processing was off the cards,” Ms Markoulli said.

“Australia must take action immediately to stop this unnecessary risk taking, which has ended up in tragedy far too often.”

She said Australia should work with other Pacific and South-East Asian nations in an attempt to find a process that involves the region.

“People are dying, our reputation as a nation is being besmirched and our leaders go round and round with the same old arguments and accusations,” she said.

“Australia’s handling of this issue is deplorable. We must do better.”