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

The truth is that, as soon as he reasonably could be, after clarifying the position, he was completely up-front with the Australian public and the Australian people.

This minister has a very difficult job, restoring border security with the legacy that this government inherited—a massively difficult job. I want to say that I deeply admire and respect the strength and the integrity that he has brought to this job. While I can understand that members opposite would be a little embarrassed at the way the boats are stopping now, surely they at least ought to be men and women enough to give credit where it is due. This minister is stopping the boats. That is what counts.

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