Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Paterson for the question. We won't be commenting on operational matters or seeking to politicise national security and border protection, unlike those opposite. We're not going to assist the people-smuggling business. We have a large border, as everyone knows, so boat arrivals do happen from time to time, and we saw that under your government, Senator Paterson. We had a very similar situation to what recently occurred in WA, in Queensland.

What is critical is that Operation Sovereign Borders remains in place, and the good and capable and qualified staff, who are operating Operation Sovereign Borders, are doing their job. That's what we in this parliament should expect them to do. We don't want to politicise it. I know those opposite do, and I would draw the senator's attention to the comments of Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, who said:

The mission of Operation Sovereign Borders remains the same today as … when it was established in 2013: protect Australian borders, combat people smuggling in our region, and importantly, prevent people from risking their lives at sea. Any alternate narrative will be exploited by criminal people smugglers to deceive potential irregular immigrants and convince them to risk their lives and travel to Australia by boat.

I think all senators should be assured that Operation Sovereign Borders is working. When there is a boat arrival, those who might make it onto mainland Australia are removed from the country. They will not be resettled in this country. The policy remains the same as it was under the former government.