Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

compared with in excess of 1,200 men, women and children who drowned at sea—

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

under the policies that Senator Hanson-Young so vocally still supports. Again, we have made our operational protocols, our communication protocols, clear to the Australian people, and we have said to them that we will not, for matters of national security, comment on on-water matters.

The fact that today marks the 202nd day since there was a successful people-smuggling venture to Australia shows, I would say, that our policies are working. But, in relation to the secrecy, I refer the Senate to a press release issued by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, on Monday, 7 July 2014, where he confirmed:

The Australian and Sri Lankan governments have moved swiftly to return a group of 41 Sri Lankan nationals who attempted to arrive illegally by boat to Australia as part of a maritime people smuggling venture.

He goes on to outline for the Australian people exactly what occurred:

The suspected illegal entry vessel (SIEV) was intercepted by Border Protection Command West of Cocos (Keeling) Islands in late June. At no stage was the vessel in distress and all persons aboard the SIEV were safe and accounted for.

He then confirms:

Forty one potential illegal maritime arrivals who were intercepted on the SIEV were returned to Sri Lankan authorities yesterday (Sunday 6 July).

He goes on to confirm:

The 41 Sri Lankan nationals were transferred at sea, in mild sea conditions from a vessel assigned to Border Protection Command (BPC) to Sri Lankan authorities, just outside the Port of Batticaloa.

All persons intercepted and returned were subjected to an enhanced screening process, as also practised by the previous government, to ensure compliance by Australia with our international obligations—

In relation to the claims of secrecy, I would say that the press release that I have in front of me—which I have not read out in full and which contains a lot more information—goes to show that when it comes to on-water matters, you are right: we will, in the interests of national security, maintain our communications protocol. But, as this press release shows, the government has been completely open in relation to these asylum seekers. (Time expired)