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

I thank Senator Bernardi for the question and obviously note his longstanding commitment to protecting Australia's borders. I am pleased to inform the Senate that today marks exactly six months since the last successful people-smuggling venture to Australia by boat. That translates to 26 weeks or 182 days.

By way of comparison, in one month alone last year—July 2013—4,077 people arrived on 46 boats. On this very day in June last year, in June 2013, 139 people arrived on three boats. In fact, on 24 July 2013, in just one day, 508 people arrived on six boats. I confirm for the Senate that today marks six months under the Abbott government's strong border protection policies since there has been a successful people-smuggling venture to Australia.

But there were some who were sceptical, despite the success of the Howard government, that our policies would work. They said it couldn't be done. In fact, Bill Shorten, the Leader of the Opposition, said it couldn't be done. What did he say?

There is no doubt in my mind that the Coalition's boat-person policy is just absolutely not working.

What did shadow minister Richard Marles have to say:

Turning back the boats was always a furphy.

…   …   …   

…resolve on the part of this government … is completely shot to pieces…

Mr President, I say to you and I say to senators: the only thing that is shot to pieces is those and their opinion on the other side. It is six months today under the Abbott government's strong border protection policies since there was a successful people-smuggling venture to Australia.