Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister inform the House who is making decisions regarding the Australian Customs vessel Oceanic Viking? Who is issuing instructions to the Australian personnel on board?

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

I thank the honourable member for her question. I would assume that, consistent with our normal arrangements, that would be done through the Customs agency of the Australian government.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

That would be done through the normal agency of the Australian government—the customs and border protection arrangements of the government. That is where the command and control lies. I imagine it is an operational matter. That is where it is being processed.