Special Event: Tampa - 25th Year Anniversary

TAMPA: The Turning Point – Exclusive Screening and Panel Discussion

In August 2001, the Australian Government refused entry to the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa after it rescued 433 asylum seekers—predominantly Hazaras fleeing Afghanistan—from a distressed fishing vessel in international waters.

The decision ignited intense political debate ahead of the 2001 Federal Election and sparked an international diplomatic dispute between Australia and Norway. More than two decades on, the Tampa affair remains a defining, deeply contested moment in modern Australian history, continually shaping debates around migration policy, border control, and humanitarian responsibility.

To mark the 25th anniversary of this pivotal event, the ABC will premiere TAMPA: The Turning Point, a landmark three-part documentary series produced by Mint Pictures with support from Screen Australia. The series examines the crisis through the firsthand perspectives of asylum seekers, the ship's captain, key political figures, and everyday Australians impacted by the events.

An exclusive advance screening of the first episode, followed by an insightful panel discussion featuring:

The Hon. Alexander Downer AC – Former Minister for Foreign Affairs

Abbas Nazari – Afghan refugee and Tampa rescue survivor

Dr Madeline Gleeson – Senior Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney

The discussion will be moderated by award-winning author and journalist David Marr.