Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

It really is extraordinary—the croc­odile tears we are hearing on these issues! In the case of Malaysia the facts are very clear: the asylum seekers will be there with the permission and the agreement of the Malay­sian government; they will have legal author­ity to remain in Malaysia. There are agree­ments to ensure opportunities for asylum seekers' claims to be considered and Malay­sia will not be sending any refugees back to persecution in their countries of origin.

This contrasts with the position of the opposition, which was to send people back. There was a great risk of drowning as a consequence of their deliberate policy to ensure that unseaworthy boats be pursued—