Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Will the minister confirm how much the Gillard Labor government will spend on dealing with illegal boat arrivals this financial year?

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

I thank Senator Cash for her question.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I remind senators on both sides that when there is silence we will proceed.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! When there is silence, we—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Senator Conroy interjecting—

Order! Senator Conroy, you will withdraw that. You will withdraw.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When there is silence we will proceed. It is a very simple equation. When there is silence we will proceed.

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

I thank Senator Cash for her question. I must say that it has been quite a while since we have enjoyed the sort of question that she presents. In fact it has been quite a while, obviously, since you have been given a question, Senator Cash. I can say to you, Senator Cash, that the government will update our budgetary forecasts in the usual way. We discussed this question in estimates—

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, just resume your seat. Senator Carr, continue.

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

Of course, there is a need to review the budget forecasts simply because of the opposition's policy, which has sought to deny the government's policy arrangements. The opposition has put a position. As a result of that position, we now see that there are increased costs that have to be borne by this country—increased costs for the Navy and increased costs in the operation of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Also, we know that the opposition would waste $980 million over four years in operational expenses alone on the Nauru option—nearly a billion dollars down the drain. That is their policy. So it is only reasonable that, given the extraordinary, wasteful attitude that the Liberal Party have, particularly in the context where they are looking for a $70 billion gap in their funding arrangements for other things, we should bear in mind what the costs are of the opposition's policy as well. So, when the review is undertaken, we can also have a good look at what the opposition are costing this country.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer the minister to page 15 of the 2011-12 DIAC budget statements, which confirms that the government will spend just under $1.3 billion this financial year to deal with illegal boat arrivals. Isn't it the case that this figure is based on just 750 arrivals this financial year? Given that just in the first four months of the financial year over 1,340 asylum seekers have arrived, how many more billions of dollars will this government waste on its failed border protection policies?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When people have quietened down and settled down, Senator Macdonald, we will continue.

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

The government will update its budgetary estimates in the usual way. This is necessary because of the policies that the opposition have pursued. I find it a particular irony that we now have a unity ticket between the most extreme right-wing opposition this country has seen, probably in its history, and of course the Greens. At least I can say this about the Greens: the Greens are at least fair dinkum about their policy position. You are an opposition bound by one thing only: political opportunism. The political opportunism is leading to people being drowned at sea.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, resume your seat. Order!

Honourable senators interjecting—

When people have settled down—Senator Cash was on her feet. Senator Cash, just resume your seat. When we have silence I will ask you to stand. Senator Cash.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order in relation to relevance. I have to say that, whilst I am enjoying the minister's entertainment this afternoon, my question was quite specific: how many more billions of dollars will the government waste on its failed border protection policies?

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is answering the question. The minister has 24 seconds remaining. I call the minister—if you have anything further to add.

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

Mr President, the position is very clear. The government has a firm policy position which is being frustrated by those in the opposition, working in collaboration with the Greens. We have a situation here where the most extreme elements of the coalition are now in league with the Greens. The difference is that at least the Greens are working on the basis of principle as they see it. (Time expired)

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When those on my left are ready, there is a person from your side wishing to ask a question.

Senator Sterle interjecting—

Senator Sterle, I am waiting for there to be silence so I can let Senator Cash be heard in silence.

Honourable senators interjecting—

If people want to have a private discussion, go outside now, but do not carry it on across the chamber.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask the minister a further supplementary question. Why did the Gillard Labor government dismantle the proven border protection policies of the former Howard government which stopped the boats and cost taxpayers less than $100 million per year? When will this government adopt the coalition's amendment to the Migration Act which would restore offshore processing to Nauru and to Manus Island whilst preserving basic human rights protections for people sent offshore?

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

The opposition was given the benefit of a very detailed briefing by the government's experts in regard to the administration of immigration law. What that advice was—

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You hide behind advice every time.

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on both sides! I do not believe the behaviour in question time is assisting the conduct of the business of this Senate.

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

There was advice coming across the table that we hide behind advice. That is in sharp contrast to the actions of those on the opposite side. They do not believe that economists have anything to say, they do not believe that scientists have anything worth while to say and now, of course, they do not believe that the professionals in regard to immigration have anything worth while to say. What that advice is, and they have this advice, is that Malaysia will work, Nauru will fail. We know that people smugglers look forward with some comfort to the actions of this opposition—

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! When there is silence we will proceed. Senator Carr, continue and you have got 18 seconds remaining.

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

It is the people smugglers that are looking to the Liberal Party for aid and comfort, because that is where they are getting it from. They are getting aid and comfort from the Liberal Party and the National Party.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Of course, we now find that you are somewhat embarrassed at the company you are keeping with the Greens. Well, what we say to you is very simple: the Malaysian proposition works— (Time expired)