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

Well, we can remember that, when Senator Hanson-Young was in control of our borders—because obviously she was the relevant minister under the former Labor-Greens government!—we had a budgetary blow-out of in excess of $11 billion.

In stopping the boats and implementing strong border protection policies, this government has not only been able to deliver humanitarian dividends to the international community but also delivered savings measures of more than half a billion dollars in the 2015-16 budget. This builds on the in addition of $2.5 billion that was delivered in savings in the last budget and that have been reinvested into the Australian Border Force. The Australian Border Force will be the nation's first line of defence against individuals and networks seeking to undermine our border controls or threaten our community. The government is already getting on with the job of ensuring stronger borders. Standing up on 1 July, the Australian Border Force will further strengthen our ability to protect Australians. (Time expired)