Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. I am sorry that the clarity of the difference between the two phrases raised by the senator is not obvious not only to himself but, clearly, also to his colleagues. There is a world of difference between doing something and doing something else which may have a very similar impact, but for a limited group. There is quite a world of difference.

The senator asked me about appeasement of Indonesia. I come back to the points that I have made in the past in relation to this. Firstly, despite a phone call from the Indonesian president to our Prime Minister, visas to 42 Indonesian West Papuans were granted. Why? It was because we will always follow our international commitments and we will follow our law at the time. But, subsequent to that boat arrival, the government is entitled to have a look and ask: ‘What else can be done to strengthen our borders and to work positively with Indonesia?’ And that is what we are doing. It is not appeasement. (Time expired)