Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I can. As we know, it is in excess of 50,000 boat arrivals; a cost blowout to the Australian taxpayer of an excess of $11 billion; in excess of 8,000 children put behind bars—this government got them out; and, of course, again, the very, very sad reflection that in excess of 1,200 people died at sea. But we do face challenges.

What did Senator Watt say during the election campaign? At the last Labor national conference he said very clearly, 'I do not think that pursuing turnbacks and offshore processing is in line with our long-term Labor values.' Well, I say, through you Mr President, to those on the other side: if that is not in line with long-term Labor values, the only conclusion that can be got to is that you do support people smugglers making the decision to bring people to Australia. You do support people risking their lives to get on leaky boats to make the perilous journey here. You do support policies that put thousands of children behind bars. We will never do that. (Time expired)