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

The policy in this respect is perfectly clear. The bill was introduced some time ago into the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister and others made it clear that we would be discussing with our colleagues some concerns that some colleagues had, and that we would also look at what the Senate committee report says. Yesterday, the party room looked through a number of amendments that the government has indicated it is prepared to make to take account of both the Senate committee report and some views expressed by my colleagues. I understand those amendments are being distributed today so that everyone can look at them and digest them. Consistent with that which I indicated earlier in the week—that the government had no desire to push this bill through quickly—we indicated that we would distribute the amendments today and the bill will be debated when we come back so that everyone will have plenty of time.

What the Prime Minister says to President Yudhoyono is a matter for the Prime Minister. I have no doubt that, being the longstanding good friends with Indonesia that we are, a range of matters will be discussed. I do not think that the opposition need have any concern in that context. If a boat comes in the meantime that lands on the mainland, depending on the time taken for processing, it might be covered by the existing law. But if the subsequent bill is passed then it would have retrospective action back until the date of the announcement.