Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Integration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

If only it was as good as has been implied by the parliamentary secretary. Following a period of increased sightings of illegal fishing operators within the Australian exclusive economic zone by Coastwatch and the Australian Defence Force assets, there has been a fall more recently in the number of sightings.

However, there has also been a reported shortfall in aerial surveillance by Coastwatch over our northern waters. This has to be combined with the unavailability of the Navy’s Armidale class patrol boats, which are stuck in repair dock. The Armidale class patrol boats are meant to be used by the Navy to intercept illegal fishers. In September 2006, problems were detected with the fuel system and the Armidale fleet was sidelined. In February 2007, it was confirmed that the problems are still occurring and are proving difficult to fix. According to the Navy’s website, the Armidale class was supposed to:

... improve Navy’s capability to intercept and apprehend vessels in a greater range of sea conditions increasing surveillance, which will better protect Australia’s coastline.

This is disturbing news. It represents five months in which we have been relying on stopgap measures like the soon to be redundant Fremantle class to patrol our northern waters.

This government is simply not on top of its responsibility with regard to border security in those northern waters. More needs to be done. When it comes to illegal fishers, I would hope that the government members also acknowledge that more needs to be done. If they think that the current level of patrols aimed at illegal fishing is adequate, they should say so. Despite its delayed introduction, this bill is a welcome measure and a step in the right direction. I move:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House condemns the Government for its failure to provide necessary maritime security and protect Australians, including:

(1)

its careless and widespread use of single and continuing voyage permits for foreign vessels with foreign crew who do not undergo appropriate security checks;

(2)

permitting foreign flag of convenience ships to carry dangerous goods on coastal shipping routes; and

(3)

failing to ensure ships provide details of crew and cargo 48 hours before arrival”.

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