A COALITION GOVERNMENT WILL STOP THE MAYHEM AND RESTORE BORDER CONTROL
27-May-2010
The Coalition will restore the strong border protection regime that the Rudd Government has abandoned, Sophie Mirabella Federal Member for Indi, said today.
Mrs Mirabella said that since the election of the Rudd Government illegal boat arrivals have gone from three a year to more than three a week.
“The 128 illegal boats carrying almost 6,000 people which have arrived on its watch demonstrate that the Rudd Government has lost control of our borders.
“A Coalition Government has a direct action plan that will stop the boats. This includes:
1. In government, we will commence discussions to establish an off shore processing detention facility in another country. This off shore facility will be the destination for anyone seeking to enter Australia illegally by boat.
2. We will reintroduce temporary protection visas and require those on these visas who receive benefits to make a contribution through a ‘work for benefits’ scheme, as is required of Australian citizens.
3. We will require those who have arrived legally on-shore once again to make any claim within 45 days.
4. We will turn back boats where circumstances allow.
“The Rudd Government abolished temporary protection visas and replaced them with a permanent protection visa. This gave the people smugglers a product to sell - permanent residency in Australia.
“Reintroducing temporary protection visas and off shore processing is critical to crippling the people smuggling business and stopping the flow of boat arrivals. Any policy that continues to provide an incentive to this business is neither tough nor compassionate.
“The Coalition has a proven track record of being prepared to do what is necessary to control our borders and protect the integrity and fairness of our immigration system.
“The only way to restore sovereignty and control to our borders is to elect a Coalition government,” Mrs Mirabella said.