Senate debates

Monday, 18 June 2012

Questions on Notice

Asylum Seekers (Question No. 1550)

Photo of Eric AbetzEric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs , upon notice on 15 February 2012 :

For each illegal boat arrival since 1 January 2010:

(1)   At what time was the boat: (a) first spotted; and (b) intercepted.

(2)   When was the Minister's office informed.

(3)   At what time did the Minister issue a media release.

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | | Hansard source

The Minister for Home Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator ' s question:

Please refer to the table below:

* Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel (SIEV) was detected and intercepted at the same time by a Customs and Border Protection asset.

… Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) incident. Customs and Border Protection assets did not intercept this vessel. The Bulk Carrier Postojna intercepted this vessel in the vicinity of Cocos Island.

^ Media release issued by Customs and Border Protection.

# SOLAS incident. Customs and Border Protection assets did not intercept this vessel. HMAS Pirie and ACV Triton responded.