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

As of 9 February, Senator, you would be interested to know that the advice I have is that there were in fact 2,625 irregular maritime arrivals, including 23 crew members of various vessels, detained at Christmas Island. So I think the suggestion that you have made in your question is at variance with the facts and I am sure that if there is any further information I can provide that might assist you to make a more accurate assessment of what actually is happening on Christmas Island then the minister will be only too happy to provide it.