Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Can the minister advise the Senate of the current capacity of the Blaydin Point Detention Centre in Darwin? Has the government made any decision to increase capacity of this centre?

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

In relation to that specific question, I do not have the information on me but I will take it on notice and I will provide the senator with an answer.

Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Thank you. Can the minister advise whether any detainees have been transferred from Christmas Island to the Blaydin facility since 7 September?

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

Again, I thank the senator for her question. In relation to operational matters, this government has made it very, very clear that we will not be commenting on operational matters. Unlike the former government, which was quite happy to band together with the Australian Greens to give to the people smugglers exactly what they wanted, which was a product to sell, this government—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! When there is silence on both sides—and I have asked Senator Cash to resume her seat—we will proceed. Senator Cash, continue.

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

Thank you, Mr President. As I was stating, this government has made it very, very clear that we will be providing information on our Friday weekly briefings.

Opposition senators interjecting—

In relation to that decision, the reason that those on the other side are so upset by the decision is that in the short time that this government has been in power we have seen a 75 per cent reduction—

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Cash, just resume your seat. I know you have only got a limited time left to answer the question but I need to hear your answer. Senator Cash, continue

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

Thank you, Mr President. We have seen a 75 per cent reduction in the number of illegal—(Time expired)

Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. In light of the minister's answer, I would like the minister to define what she considers an operational matter. I have asked very specific questions about the Blaydin Point Detention Centre. Is this an operational matter? I ask the minister now to define what an operational matter is given my questions have been about Australian facilities on the Australian mainland.

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

I do note that the senator asking the question is the former minister who was representing the minister for immigration in this place. The former minister would know that there is certain information that for operational reasons is not given out. We will not make the mistakes that the former government made. There has been a 75 per cent reduction in the number of—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Cash, just resume your seat. Order! Senator Cash, continue.

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

There has been a 75 per cent reduction in illegal boat arrivals in the first 51 days of Operation Sovereign Borders. If that does not signify to those on the other side that this government is doing something right, it certainly signifies it to the Australian public. We are resolute in our policy. (Time expired)