Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I suppose I start by saying that it is based on a wrong premise. There has been no relaxation of border security measures. What the Labor Party has done is continue and enhance border protection measures. We have maintained the patrolling of the Navy, Customs and other agencies in our northern waters. We have maintained the policy of excision of offshore islands, and we have maintained a system where mandatory detention of unauthorised arrivals is in place and unauthorised arrivals are processed on Christmas Island. The border security measures that were used under the Howard government remain firmly in place. In fact, we have taken a range of measures to increase our capacity to provide strong border security.

I think the senator’s question goes to changes in policy which saw the ending of the Pacific solution and the ending of temporary protection visas. They were two measures that operated under the Howard government that were highly controversial and were regarded internationally as a stain on Australia’s reputation. We campaigned on the basis of abolishing them, and we have met our election promises to do so. I note that the Liberal Party has not opposed those changes and has not promised to reintroduce either the Pacific solution or TPVs. I would be interested if Senator Ellison is suggesting that, because that is certainly not what the current spokesperson has said. I do not think IOM’s analysis of changes in Australian policy reflects issues of border security; it reflects issues to do with the treatment of asylum seekers when in this country. (Time expired)