Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Wong, the Minister representing the Attorney-General. I refer the minister to evidence of Australian Federal Police Commissioner Negus in estimates on 19 October, in which he confirmed that the AFP periodically compiles a report titled Strategic intelligence forecast—transnational criminal trends and threats to Australia, the most recent edition of which was finalised on 27 March 2009. That report stated: ‘Reporting indicates that people smugglers will market recent changes in Australia’s immigration policy to entice potential illegal immigrants. This may cause a rise in the number of attempted arrivals.’ Given that 50 boats have arrived since the government announced its changes to its immigration policy, will the government now admit that the AFP’s warning was entirely accurate?