Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

That is true. The member is referring to the forward estimates and they are very credible forward estimates. They are very credible forward estimates.

The opposition here made this government wait nine months to put in place offshore processing on Nauru—nine months. The consequence of that has been more boats in the short term. But we are putting in place a response, via the Houston review, and that response is working. Of course, over time, as that response is put in place, the number of arrivals comes down. That is the fact of the matter. That is why we have worked so hard to get these arrangements in place and we would certainly appreciate from those opposite more cooperation on the regional arrangements so we can put in place more policies to restrict the flow of refugees to this country.

Mrs Mirabella interjecting—

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