November 24, 2023
Labor is facing a new political storm over asylum seekers after a boatload of people from Indonesia arrived in Australia undetected, sparking calls for the government to explain how up to 12 people landed on a remote part of the West Australian coast.
Federal officials refused to confirm any details of the suspected illegal vessel last night, after news emerged of the boat's arrival in the Kimberley region earlier this week.
Wyndham East Kimberley Shire president David Menzel said he had learnt that up to 12 people had arrived in the Truscott area, but it was not yet clear whether the vessel contained fishermen or asylum seekers.
"It's certainly not a surprise to us," he said. "We've been advocating for a bit more attention on our coastline." He said illegal fishing vessels had been detected in the area in recent months, but none had landed.
"It's in an extremely remote part of the country," he said, adding it was three hours from any settlement.
This is the 10th illegal boat to arrive in Australian territories since the Albanese government was elected in May 2022. Several more boats have been detained or turned back.
In June 2022, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil struck a deal with Sri Lankan authorities, donating resources to help that nation's navy track and turn back boats in the wake of its economic crisis.
The arrival of this vessel, which is being investigated by WA police, throws up further challenges for Australian Border Force following this month's landmark High Court decision that led to the release of more than 100 people from indefinite immigration detention.
The arrival has reignited fears that people smugglers could be using news of the High Court finding to persuade asylum seekers to risk the dangerous crossing.
Labor has maintained Australia's ban on settling any asylum seekers who arrive without authorisation after 2013, as well as offshore detention and boat turnbacks.
O'Neil's office deferred questions on the boat's arrival to Australian Border Force, which refused to comment. "The Australian Border Force does not comment on operational matters," a spokesperson said.
Local state Liberal MP Neil Thomson said staff from the Wunambal Gaambera native title corporation were involved in the initial detection of the boatload on Wednesday. "A number of those ventured to Truscott, where they were picked up by staff," he said, adding he had heard several people were in poor health.
"It's a very dangerous time of the year to be up there in some of the most remote and crocodile-infested parts of Australia," he said.
Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson accused the Labor government of having "failed on border security".
"The minister must immediately front the media and share with the public what the government knows about these reports," Paterson said.
"At the same time as Labor botched the management of the release of up to 93 detainees ... we have reports of illegal arrivals at Australia's shores. Labor and Minister O'Neil are failing in their duty to protect Australia's borders and keep Australians safe."
Kalumburu police said the Western Australia Police Force was managing the incident. WA police declined to comment.
Menzel said authorities had not been forthcoming with information.
"They seem to be trying to contain the story," he said.
Menzel said he was "keen to find out how they slipped through the radar", adding the shire had been concerned about the lack of surveillance by border patrols.
"I'm very interested to know how many days they've been wandering around on Australian soil," he said.
'We've been advocating for a bit more attention on our coastline.' David Menzel, Wyndham East Kimberley Shire president
