Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

When it comes to this issue, those opposite are truly the ultimate hypocrites and ultimate cynics. The Houston government expert panel put forward a range of recommendations. We committed to every single one of them. The government, the party, have not always supported all of those positions, but those over there are more interested in cheap politics than they are in the facts of how to stop refugees getting on boats and risking their lives. What did Mr Barrie also say this morning? He said: 'I think we're going to see a lot more of the sinking of boats and other issues. I don't think that's really fair on our people, who have to go out and do this job.' So the man who is actually in charge has called it 'filthy, dirty work'. He also said: 'It's not going to work. I don't think that's really fair on our people. I think we're going to see a lot more sinking of boats.' (Time expired)