Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that 18 September marks the five-year anniversary of the launch of the Abbott Coalition Government's Operation Sovereign Borders policy, a military-led operation designed to break people-smuggling activities – principally originating from Indonesia – with boat turn­ backs and intelligence gathering;

(b) acknowledges the roles of policy co-author, and now senator, Jim Molan and the then Minister for Immigration, Mr Scott Morrison, in successfully implementing that policy; and

(c) affirms its strong support for the policy and continuing to protect Australia's borders.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The first and most important priority of the government is securing our nation and keeping Australians safe. In doing this, it is critical that we first secure our borders. Operation Sovereign Borders has ended the deaths at sea and has returned integrity to our migration program. We will decide who comes to this country, not the people smugglers. We must never return to the disastrous policies that saw 50,000 people arrive on more than 800 boats, 8,000 children detained and at least 1,200 people drown at sea.

Question agreed to.