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

I think all of us in the Senate would be aware that statistics often tell a very stark story. In relation to the senator's first question, 'How many children were in detention when Labor won office in 2007?', colleagues, does anybody remember?

Government senators: None!

'None' is the correct answer. In September 2013, when the Labor government lost office, who would like to hazard a guess as to how many were in detention? 100? 500? 1,000? How about 1,392 when Labor lost office. Though, 8,469 children had arrived on boats during their six years in office. This reached a record high in July 2013 of 1,992. It is this government that is taking genuine steps to clean up Labor's mess and put children into the community. (Time expired)