This essay provides a comprehensive overview of Australian punitive policy responses to refugees, tracing the historical evolution from the White Australia Policy to contemporary measures. It examines key events like the Tampa Affair and the implementation of the Pacific Solution, including offshore detention centers. The essay delves into the impacts of these policies on refugees, including mandatory detentions, family separations, and psychological trauma. It then applies the labeling theory and conflict theory to analyze the motivations and consequences of these policies. The essay discusses how labeling theory explains the stigmatization of refugees and how conflict theory highlights the competition for resources. It concludes by discussing the implications of these theories for understanding the Australian refugee policy landscape. This essay, like other resources on Desklib, offers valuable insights for students studying political science and related fields.