Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

As has previously been the case, it is the fact that this government has provided additional funding—particularly, for example, in border security. You might recall—through you, Mr President—that in the 2009-10 budget, for example, the government committed some $654 million to fund a whole-of-government strategy to combat people smuggling and border protection. We have also created the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, to provide unified operational control.

Those opposite might want to try and play a bit of politics with this issue, but the fact is that this government has provided very substantial provision through the budget to our security agencies, including the AFP, and additional funding was announced in the 19th budget to combat people smuggling and to enhance border protection. (Time expired)