Dr Peter Billings, who is supervising the project, said the evidence is being posted on a blog site each day in the lead up to the election.

"The students are highlighting Frequently Quoted Inaccuracies in the federal election campaign and [the] blog exposes ... many myths about boat people seeking refugee protection in Australia," he said.

Statistics from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) show that in 2008-2009 approximately 48,700 people were living in Australia unlawfully and had either overstayed their visa or breached their visa conditions.

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"By contrast, during the same period, only 1033 asylum seekers arrived by boat," said Billings.

"While 4916 people seeking asylum in Australia have arrived by boat since 1 July 2009, a significant increase from the previous year, it is still minor when compared to the number of people estimated to be residing in Australia unlawfully."

You can read the Asylum & Refugee Law Project blog at http://uqrefugeeresearch.wordpress.com/