PEOPLE smugglers are now going months without trying to sneak illegal boat arrivals into Australian waters in the wake of the government’s turnback policy.
Newly-appointed Immigration Minister Peter Dutton yesterday confirmed that another six months had passed without a successful illegal boat arrival in Australia.
Mr Dutton also said just one boat had arrived in 2014.
The results are in stark contrast to the performance of the previous Labor government — there were 401 successful people smuggling ventures and 300 deaths at sea during its last year in power.
The figures were released as the High Court ruled the Australian government was acting legally in detaining 157 asylum seekers at sea for several weeks in July last year before they were transferred to Nauru.
The majority ruling was a major blow to The Greens and humanitarian groups, which had argued for six months that the government had acted illegally in detaining the people, including 50 children, on the boat.
“I am pleased with the result,” Mr Dutton said.
“It has vindicated the government’s position and we will further analyse over the course of the next day or so the 157-page judgment.’’
Mr Dutton confirmed border protection personnel had turned back 15 vessels, with 429 potential illegal immigrants aboard, since Operation Sovereign Borders was launched in December 2013.
Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders Lieutenant General Angus Campbell said people-smuggling businesses were now under “great stress”.
“Their business continues to be under great stress but we need to maintain the pressure and the vigilance,’’ he said.
“There has been a very substantial and sustained reduction in maritime ventures and potential illegal immigrants attempting to reach Australia by sea.”
Mr Dutton said the figures showed the government’s policy was working.
“When the Rudd and Gillard governments abolished the Howard government’s proven border protection policies, more than 50,000 people illegally entered Australia on more than 800 boats,’’ he said.
“Operation Sovereign Borders and our turnback policy has restored the integrity of our borders.”
Mr Dutton thanked previous minister Scott Morrison, who introduced the tough policy in 2013.
“Anyone who comes to Australia illegally by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia,” Mr Dutton said. “Our policy applies to everyone.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/six-months-since-the-last-asylum-boat-...