George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The Abbott government will observe its legal obligations at all times and we will pursue our successful policy of stopping the boats. Senator Di Natale, under the policies of the previous government, which you supported, more than 1,100 people drowned. People smuggling had become one of the great business enterprises of Indonesia because you encouraged that evil trade. I well recall during the 2013 election Labor spokesman after Labor spokesman fronted the media and said in relation to stopping the boats: 'It's too hard. It cannot be done.' Well, Senator Di Natale, we stopped the boats— we make no apology for it—and we will continue to do so.