Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I note the minister’s comments in relation to Navy and Customs. Given revelations last week that the Navy has cut its patrol boat fleet to half over the Christmas period and that the number of personnel on active duty will be around only 320, what assurances has the minister sought from the Australian Customs Service that they will not be standing down any of their fleet or personnel over the Christmas period? I ask this in view of the minister’s comments and the fact that he announced that he would be having an investigation into the latest arrival off the coast of Western Australia over the weekend.