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

I am glad to see Liberal senators take an interest in his policies.

The Rudd Labor government is absolutely committed to strong border protection measures: we have been consistent in applying the excision of offshore islands; we have increased provisions for border patrols, we have 25 per cent more border patrols occurring than under the previous government, and we have invested $650-odd million in extra funding for border protection measures in the last budget. As a result, we are able to intercept any unauthorised boat arrivals, take them to Christmas Island and have them processed under the excise offshore place provisions.

That provides us with strong border security measures that then allow us to detain mandatorily, as we have done, all unauthorised boat arrivals, and then to ensure that they have the appropriate health, identity and security checks. Those checks are vigorous; they are designed to protect Australians, to ensure that no-one is released into the Australian community until we are satisfied about their health, security and identity. Those measures that are in place are the same as those that were in place under the previous government, except that the border patrol measures have been enhanced. We have more border protection patrolling than under the previous government.

Yes, we do maintain strong border security and strong control over our borders so we can identify who seeks to come into this country—either authorised or unauthorised—and maintain the integrity of our migration system.