Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

Those opposite ought to bear in mind that their policies were a complete failure. Their policies asserted, by way of slogan, that you can stop the boats, which is totally in contradiction of the facts. The claim that new facilities will result in more boat arrivals is equally untrue. From 1999 to 2000, some 12,000 asylum seekers arrived on this country’s shores—12,000 in that short period of time. There are peaks and troughs in the way people are moved to this country. The government is ensuring that there are appropriate facilities and that this matter is dealt with in an orderly manner. The government is ensuring that our international obligations are met while at the same time protecting Australia’s borders. We are ensuring that new facilities are able to ensure that we have proper— (Time expired)