ChristmasIsland's 1, 400 residents are outnumberedby the 2, 777 boat people who are held in a centre, often for lengthy periods, whileauthoritiesassesstheir asylumclaims.
Reports in Australian media said about 2, 000 asylum seekers had reached Australia since the country approved plans to re-open offshore processing centres in Nauru and PNG.
Christmas Island's 1, 400 residents are outnumbered by more than 2, 700 asylum-seekers housed in a centre for boat people who have been intercepted on their way to Australia.