Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, representing the Prime Minister. Minister, your government has this week been crowing about 800 days without a boat arrival. However, we do know that at least 29 boats carrying at least 740 people have been turned around at sea, to meet an unknown fate, since Operation Sovereign Borders began—and these are just the ones that your government has admitted to. We also know that it has been 800 days of misery and hopelessness for the men, women and children stranded on Manus Island and Nauru. How many interceptions and turn backs have occurred since Operation Sovereign Borders began, and what is the fate of these hundreds of people who were turned around at sea? How many have been refouled contrary to your international obligations? How many have died at sea or in the countries you have illegally returned them to?