MORE ASYLUM SEEKERS ON THE WAY
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that the Opposition is concerned about the softening of policies of the previous government.
“A total of 1,809 asylum seekers have been intercepted in boats since the surge in arrivals began twelve months ago and started unwinding the Howard government’s border protection politicise,” Mr Ruddock said.
Given previous experience and advice I believe there will soon be up to 10,000 people a year in transit to Australia via people smuggling routes.
“If the numbers keep on increasing at the rate they have been, I think the government will be looking at a pipeline of at least 10,000 a year or more,” Philip Ruddock said.
“Labor has lost control of our borders and the massive surge in people smuggling activity is a direct result of the Rudd Government softening of our border protection policies.
“Confirmation over the weekend that asylum seekers know Kevin Rudd has opened the door just further proves that Labor has lost control of our borders.
“Similar statements have been made over the last 8 months by other asylum seekers and Indonesian officials.
“How many more boats need to arrive, how many more drowning, and how many more detained in Indonesia, are needed to convince the Rudd Government that they are sending the wrong message to people smugglers who are exploiting our weakened borders?” Philip Ruddock said.
Nearly 2000 people on 40 boats have arrived since the Labor party started softening our border protection policies in August 2008.
There are still many thousands queuing in Indonesia to come on down. Collecting the boats at our borders and guiding them to Christmas Island is not the solution - that is exactly what the people smugglers and asylum seekers want.
“Mr Rudd must immediately launch an independent inquiry into the relationship between his changes in policy and the huge surge in people smuggling activity,” Philip Ruddock said.