Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The question went to the processing of asylum seekers, and specifically in relation to a recently arrived boat. What I was outlining to the Leader of the Opposition in my response was the procedures we have in place for the processing on Christmas Island, the capacity which exists on that island and the reserve capabilities which the Attorney-General has referred to on a number of occasions in the debate so far.

Furthermore, I was saying that, when it comes to the question of processing, that of itself is a product of our wider approach to policy on asylum seekers and the approach which we adopt in this place in the midst of the current debate about alternative approaches—hence the remarks which I have made already in this chamber today about the remarks made outside by the member for O’Connor. The member for O’Connor in his remarks outside today effectively claimed that every second or third boat arriving in Australia with asylum seekers is carrying terrorists. We can have the member for O’Connor seek to take a personal explanation, I am sure. And I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition will be keen to explain why he has chosen not to distance himself from the comments made by the member for O’Connor as well.

For the record, nearly three-quarters of a million people have come to this country as refugees since the Second World War. In the period of the Howard government, 150,000 people came to this country as refugees. In the period of the Howard government nearly 15,000 came here as asylum seekers by boat. Ninety-five per cent of the temporary protection visas issued by the Howard government for asylum seekers resulted in permanent residency being granted. These are the facts which actually underpin this debate.

If the Leader of the Opposition has one shred of credibility, one shred of decency, on the question of asylum seekers, he would stand on his feet, repudiate the member for O’Connor and withdraw his support for the endorsement of the member for O’Connor to contest the next election on behalf of the Liberal Party of Australia.

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