Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

In the 51 days prior to the start of Operation Sovereign Borders, 2,311 people arrived in Australia illegally by boat. Since the commencement of Operation Sovereign Borders under this government on 18 September 2013 there has now been a 76 per cent reduction in the number of illegal arrivals coming to Australia—a 76 per cent reduction. We do not resile from the strong policy stance that we are taking.