Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

As a member of the government, I take exception to this being referred to as a laughing  matter. The government have demonstrated over many years that we take border protection and the protection of our fisheries in a very serious manner. To suggest that it is a laughing matter from this perspective is totally incorrect, and I reject that from Senator Ludwig in his address a moment ago.

I would like to take us back to when Senator O’Brien raised a few issues. He at least acknowledged that the vessel was not confirmed as being totally unmanned for the entire duration that it was in Australian waters. The Hansard will reflect that Senator O’Brien said: ‘We don’t know that. It was probably unmanned, but we do not know that.’ That is correct and that was correct at the time of the first sighting of that vessel. Senator O’Brien also indicated that the minister had stonewalled answers over the last two days. That is totally incorrect. Again, the Hansard will reflect that the minister has answered these questions adequately, honestly and in a manner that the Australian public would expect.

This minister, along with previous ministers, and also the policies of this government reflect that our concern is deep and very sincere and that we want to protect our borders. If we look at the record in recent years of border security in northern Australia, there has been very limited penetration. We are looking at a huge water mass—one of the largest water borders in the world—and we are doing a fantastic job with the conditions that we face and with the length of travel for vessels. The vessel was, after all, detected. It would be a different matter if it had come in and had gone. The vessel was detected and located and is now secure.

The other matter concerns the potential danger or threat. Senator Ludwig highlighted issues like animals, vegetables or other forms of contamination. The preliminary inspection of the vessel revealed that that was not the case. All necessary precautions were taken to ensure that, once the vessel was taken into our protection, Australia was not in any way compromised by way of biodiversity hazards or, in particular, any other forms of material that may infringe our particular quarantine standards.

Looking at the particular facts—and we must use facts, not speculation; some of the words that have been used have been a little bit alarming—they are that this vessel, after being discovered, was monitored and then taken into protective custody, if I can use that phrase for a vessel. This vessel has proven to be of no threat to Australia.

Yes, there will be gaps from time to time in any border security; in any border protection anywhere in the world there will have to be gaps. But I am very proud to be a member of a government that has addressed most, if not all, of the issues. This government is moving forward with a definitive policy to protect northern Australian borders and indeed all our fisheries. We have a combination of policies that complement each other, and those policies address all of the issues required to protect the northern parts of Australia and indeed other parts of our border.

The Australian Customs Service have acted extremely well in this and, together with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, took immediate action—not delayed action but immediate action—when the alert about the vessel was apparent. Also, Customs acted in such a way that they did not endanger any members of the service who went to apprehend that vessel. Their actions were undertaken in a very appropriate manner. In particular, the guiding of the vessel during the night-time hours after the authorities first intercepted that vessel, not boarding until daylight hours, was a very sensible measure, not a delayed measure.

This government is just superb in its handling of these matters and to suggest otherwise beggars belief. I just cannot understand how, when we have such a secure arrangement in northern Australia, the opposition can concentrate on an issue like this. It must be a matter of the opposition not being able to find attack points on the government on any other issue, so they pick something that is very minor but give it a sense of alarm by the language they use. This government is protecting Australia in every way, shape and form and will continue to do so. This government has a fine record in that regard.