Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. As I said in response to the member for Murray’s question today and again yesterday, the precise sequence of events concerning the handling of this particular vessel I cannot recall in absolute detail—they were complex diplomatic negotiations. But I would hope that, in the member for Murray’s long record of consistency on these questions, which extends through her parliamentary career and her deep and continuing commitment to the interests and fair treatment of asylum seekers, which has not undergone any change at all over time, she too if she were part of a government would also respond to appropriate distress signals which are given in accordance with international maritime law, given that the interests of Australians around the world lie in those conventions also being adhered to.

I also wonder whether some of the stereotypes referred to in this note, which was part of the ‘Digging dirt’ document revealed in the Australian today, may have dealt with the stereotyping of asylum seekers.

See this speech in context