Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the fact that more than 1,000 people have arrived on illegal boats this month, including three boats in the past 24 hours—with one carrying 175 people, the most in over two years. Given that taxpayers will be paying an extra $1.1 million per day for Labor's border failures next year, according to his budget, which assumes just 450 arrivals per month, is the Treasurer concerned that arrivals at more than double this rate may impact on Labor's promised but mythical budget surplus?

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The last part of the question was out of order.

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

It is true that we have had higher than expected arrivals on average in the last couple of months. It is true. But the fact is that they go up and they go down. You are not entitled to claim, on the basis of two months, a permanent figure. You are not entitled to claim that at all.

You did correctly say that the budget estimate is 450 arrivals per month. That is true. Of course, as is usually the case, you are out there, really, conducting a campaign against the government's forecast. You always get that wrong. You will be wrong on this occasion.

They are just out there, trying to get a figure, trying to multiply it by 10, running their usual scare campaigns.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Cook is warned.

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

The fact is this: if we had some cooperation on overseas processing these costs would be a lot less.

Mrs Mirabella interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Indi will leave the chamber under standing order 94(a).

The member for Indi then left the chamber.

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

If we had some cooperation from those opposite we could really get these costs down. The ball is in their court.