George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Di Natale, and I agree with you that the man who self-immolated on Nauru presents a very sad case. I am sure the sympathy of all members of the Senate, regardless of our views about policy, goes to members of that man's family.

There is, I understand, a coronial inquest underway in Queensland at the moment, because the man died, having been medivaced to a hospital in Brisbane, and of course it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the facts of the particular case while there is a coronial inquest underway.

Senator Di Natale, you give an example of two deaths, and any death is a tragedy. The death of more than 1200 people at sea was a tragedy too, Senator Di Natale. More than 1200 people died at sea during the period of a Labor government when Australia lost control of its borders.