Dennis Jensen (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying, all of these industries are of major importance to the Australian economy and are indeed growing in size and importance. The master of a ship or pilot of any aircraft may also bring the ship or aircraft to a place other than a port or airport due to the stress of weather or other reasonable cause. Extending customs control and examination powers to these non-proclaimed places will minimise the risks that these activities may pose. In short, this bill is about addressing the situation that currently exists but also situations that become an issue in the future. For example, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that at some point in the future the epidemic of people-smuggling by boat could become an epidemic of people-smuggling by small light plane. Given the many hundreds of small islands and remote areas around Australia, this is not impossible. However, with the vision and planning of this government, we are slamming the door shut in the face of people smugglers. We are taking the sugar off the table before it has even been placed on the table, literally saying to the people smugglers and other nefarious types intent on doing no good, 'Don't even think about it.' This bill is consistent with everything the coalition has done in government. It is consistent with our plan, our contract with the Australian people. In the final analysis, this bill is consistent with our mission to continue to restore hope, reward and opportunity.

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