Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The government's attention remains fully focused on the welfare of the survivors from this terrible boat tragedy, and I too acknowledge those who are assisting with the rescue and express my empathy for those families that are suffering.

Late last year the government approached the coalition in good faith to sit down to negotiate a compromise and to discuss what we could do to stop the flow of boats and save lives. We offered to set up a processing centre on Nauru as well implementing the Malaysia arrangement and an independent review into the effectiveness of temporary protection visas. That offer remains.

As the government has said countless times, without a genuine deterrent more people will risk their lives at sea on dangerous boat journeys. The government remains committed to implementing policies that will save lives and deliver a safer and more orderly refugee system for Australia. We remain prepared to work with the coalition and the Greens to see offshore-processing legislation pass through the parliament and prevent asylum seeker deaths at sea.

As things stand, there is a consensus in the parliament that, following the High Court decision last year, offshore processing is not possible without legislation. Mr Abbott, the Leader of the Opposition, has eventually come around to that way of thinking, which is why he outlined border protection legislation as a priority for a coalition government during this year's budget reply speech. There is also a consensus across the parliament on the need for offshore processing. We note the positive comments of Dr Mal Washer, Russell Broadbent and Judi Moylan, and the push for compromise and bipartisanship. We hope this spirit prevails.

We also welcome the comments of Mr Oakeshott— (Time expired)