The strongest feature of Reluctant Rescuers is the compassion that Kevin shows towards boat people. This sense of compassion, he suggests, becomes lost when governments espouse ‘tough rhetoric’ about deterring boats from entering Australian waters. As Kevin reminds readers, ‘boat people … are brave, resourceful people trying to make their own futures better – the kinds of migrants we should welcome’.

The book’s tone is ‘calm’ (Kevin’s word) and measured. This is commendable given the heightened emotions that have surrounded issues relating to border control. Kevin avoids using the ‘debate’ about sea-based asylum seekers as an opportunity to denigrate (or champion) a particular political party. He condemns both major parties for their ‘demonisation’ of these asylum seekers over the course of two decades. Kevin rightly argues that ‘politicians’ words about boat people’ help shape the ‘public opinion’ about these people. These ‘words’ also impact on the lives of boat people themselves.

It is to be hoped that Reluctant Rescuers will influence future political discussions about this important and fraught issue.