Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

the people smugglers of our region were better off to the tune of over a half a billion dollars thanks to members opposite.

We have taken the money out of the pockets of the people smugglers by denying their business model, by stopping their evil trade and by saving the lives that were otherwise being put at risk under the policies of members opposite. I am very happy to answer any number of questions on this subject, because it allows me yet another opportunity to assure the people of Australia that their borders—our borders—are safe under this government. If members opposite were ever to get back into government, the first thing which would happen is that the people smugglers would be back.

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