May 9, 2023
The Coalition is concerned about the risk to Australia’s border security following media reports that an illegal maritime arrival was allegedly detected and destroyed in the Indian Ocean near Christmas Island, with the near 40 individuals being returned to their country of origin.
I have requested an urgent briefing from the Department of Home Affairs to verify the reports.
I am concerned by any attempt to undermine the integrity of Australia’s borders.
Australia is a maritime nation and relies on strong border protection policies to keep Australians safe and free. Maintaining the sovereignty of our borders is critical to our prosperity and security.
In government, the Coalition ensured Australia had the strongest border security settings in the world through Operation Sovereign Borders. In February, the Albanese government confirmed it would end the use of Temporary Protection Visas – a key pillar to Operation Sovereign Borders.
This decision, and any further unravelling of Operation Sovereign Borders, risks restarting the human trafficking tragedy we saw when Labor was last in office.
