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

The simple answer is no. There is no doubt that we face a range of challenges in relation to unlawful people movement through the region. This is a problem that Australia shares in the region with countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, and it is something that we have resolved to tackle in a regional context because we know that we have to work together to address these issues. It was a lesson that the previous government learnt as well about needing regional cooperation in order to deal with these issues.

I note in passing that this is a now huge issue around the world. We are seeing Europe responding to large numbers of people fleeing North Africa; in fact, people are demanding a review of the EU arrangements in terms of border control. There are huge issues in the United States and Canada. Unauthorised people movement and people seeking asylum is a huge issue for our century as transportation becomes more available.

So I do not accept the proposition that was put by Senator Abetz. The government is working with countries in the region to try and address the challenge of unlawful movement. We do have a huge issue in that many people are seeking refuge and fleeing persecution, and we as a region have to work to tackle those challenges. A lot of work has been done in recent times through the Bali process, which we have reinvigorated with Indonesia, and the announcement the other day regarding a framework of cooperation with Malaysia is part of that regional response to an issue we are all dealing with.