TRANSCRIPT
The arrival by boat of around 40 men, suspected to be asylum seekers, in remote Western Australia this week has seen harsh words exchanged by the federal government and opposition.
The men, reportedly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, were discovered near a remote Indigenous community close to the former West Australian church mission of Beagle Bay.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he had spoken with Rear Admiral Brett Sonter commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, Australia's military-led border security operation, following reports three groups of boat arrivals had been found.
But following comments from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that the government did not support the operation, Mr Albanese has accused Mr Dutton of hindering border security efforts.
"Peter Dutton is someone who is showing, with his overblown rhetoric and with his overreach on this issue, that he's not interested in outcomes that are in the Australian national interest, as usual he's just interested in politics."
Mr Dutton, speaking on the day the Liberal Party launched its candidate for the crucial Dunkley by-election, has continued to attack the prime minister's personal record on border security.
"The fact is that Anthony Albanese has never believed in Operation Sovereign Borders, he has always fought hard against it. We know that in the last budget on a cumulative basis, $600 million has been taken from Border Force and from Operation Sovereign Borders. As the Australian Border force commissioner points out, they are stretched and I don't know whether the same level of surveillance is being undertaken as was the case when we were in government, but it's inconceivable that these boats would get through without being detected."
Rear Admiral Sonter has previously said alternative narratives about the arrivals had the potential to be exploited by people smugglers.
But members of the opposition, including defence spokesman Andrew Hastie and Nationals leader David Littleproud, say the news is evidence the government is weak on border security and Border Force funding.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has defended the government's record, telling Sky News Operation Sovereign Borders has been operating in "exactly the same" way since it was introduced under the previous Coalition government.
Mr Dutton says the operation is now "nothing like" how it was under the Liberal party.
"We know that temporary protection visas have been abolished, and we also know that they have ripped money out of Operation Sovereign Borders, so the Prime Minister can't look the Australian people in the eye and honestly tell them that Operation Sovereign Borders is operating as it did under a Coalition government, and this is another example of a trainwreck policy from this government."
Speculation suggests the Beagle Bay arrivals will be sent offshore.
The A-B-C has reported a Nauru Airlines plane carrying some of the men left Broome and arrived in Nauru in the early hours of Sunday morning, after arriving at an air force base near Derby on Saturday.
Labor Premier of W-A Roger Cook has said he's not concerned by the incident but has highlighted the defensive vulnerability of the region.
"This is fundamentally a matter for the federal government to resolve, but it does emphasise just how exposed our vast north-west coast is, and that's why we need to continue to make sure we have the resources to protect that coast, not only just in terms of unlawful arrivals, if you want to call them that or asylum seekers, but also make sure we can protect our fisheries, our defence facilities and other infrastructure."
The government has not confirmed reports of arrivals being sent offshore, but a statement from Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has said the government's commitment to Operation Sovereign Borders is "absolute".
She has added that every person who has attempted to reach Australia unlawfully by boat since she has been Minister is back in their home country, or in Nauru, after what she describes as having "wasted thousands of dollars" and "risked their lives."
Mr Albanese has said the public can expect to be provided with an update by border force authorities imminently.
"Operation Sovereign Borders is being implemented. We'll have more to say on that shortly, but I do note the comments of the commander of Operation Sovereign Borders who's made very strong comments about the need for politicians to not politicise national security."
