Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his promise on the day before the last election when he said in relation to boats seeking to enter Australian waters illegally ‘you turn them back’. Given that the government’s policy is to not turn the boats back, can the Prime Minister advise when the policy was changed?

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

The government, in its response to the challenges of people smuggling, consistent with previous governments, always seeks to act in conformity with the principles and procedures of international humanitarian law. We have done so in the past, will do so in the future and we assume that those opposite would have done so when they were in government, but perhaps not.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Fadden is warned.