(CNN) -- The Australian Senate has rejected a bill that would have revived plans to process asylum seekers in offshore detention centers in a highly emotional vote following the sinking of two boats packed with people in one week. Senators voted down the legislation by 39 votes to 29, after hours of heated debate that saw one politician break down in tears as she described the plight of one 15-year-old boy's journey from Afghanistan. Soon after the vote, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that former defence force chief Angus Houston would lead "an expert group" to determine the best way forward on asylum seekers, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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Australian Senate rejects vote on asylum seeker bill to resume offshore processing
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Vote follows sinking of two boats near Christmas Island carrying more than 300 people
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Thousands of people attempt to reach Australia by boat every year, many die on the way
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Numbers have risen dramatically since the Labor government reversed Liberal policies
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