Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

You have to give the opposition some credit for trying. They are desperately trying to do everything they can and say everything they can to try and make the arrangements that this government has entered into with the Malaysian government not work. They are desperately hoping that they do not work, and they are desperately hoping that there is no way that this government can intercept the intentions of the people smugglers. I have to disappoint the opposition. If they do not understand how this system is going to work, let me tell them. The point of the arrangements—

Senator McGauran interjecting—

Senator McGauran, with his interjection just then, clearly does not understand the logistics a people smuggler will have to deal with. That is, they will have to convince clients in Indonesia that paying the people smuggler money to put them on a boat to Australia will not have them end up in Malaysia. It is curious, isn't it, that there has been a focus on the numbers as if this is some sort of slave trade—as if it is trading person for person. This government is serious about—

Senator Brandis interjecting—

Perhaps, Senator Brandis, you will shut your mouth and listen for a change. You are pretty good at opening it.

Senator Brandis interjecting—

Yes, it is pretty ugly, Senator Brandis, when you yell across the chamber persistently.