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

I thank Senator Reynolds for her question. Unlike those on the other side, to quote Senator Abetz, we on this side are getting down to business, in particular in relation to this important portfolio area. What this government is doing that the former government did not do is backing up our commitment with the increased resources and the funding that our agencies need to protect us and to assist in the creation of economic opportunities for all Australians.

Senator Reynolds referred to recent reports. I can advise the Senate that the recently released Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service annual reports highlight the continued dividends of the coalition's strong border protection policies. These dividends include that this government is stopping the boats. We have had but one single, solitary venture to Australia this year. This compares with the record of those on the other side, where we saw, in but one month, in excess of 4,000 people arrive.

These successful policies which, we have seen this week, continue to be vehemently opposed by those on the other side and by the Australian Greens, are freeing up resources which we on this side of the chamber are responsibly reinvesting back into this important portfolio area. What does this achieve for the Australian people? It will achieve greater compliance. It achieves greater integrity and what it ultimately gives them is strong borders.

We have also invested an additional $88 million of funding into Customs to increase screening and examination of external mail, air cargo and sea cargo. What has this delivered? It has delivered an additional 1,700 items being screened—more than those on the other did when they were in government. In the last financial year our protection officers prevented around four tonnes of drugs and precursors from reaching Australia's streets. (Time expired)