Today marks six months since the last successful people smuggling venture to Australia.
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz said this is proof the Abbott Government is delivering the commitment to restore strong border protection policies that stop the boats.
“The last successful people smuggling venture to Australia arrived on 19 December 2013. Over the same six month period in 2012/13 under the previous government, a total of 190 boats with 12,773 people on board illegally arrived in Australia – more than a boat a day” said Mr Buchholz.
Since the installation of Operation Sovereign Borders not only have lives been saved but financial savings are also being made.
“Stopping the boats is saving the Budget $2.5 billion. Not only that, but the Government have also announced the closure of ten detention centres, which will provide further significant savings”,
“As a result of the successful protection of our nation’s borders, the Government plan to provide 20,000 additional resettlement places through the Special Humanitarian Programme over five years for those waiting offshore in often desperate circumstances” said Mr Buchholz.
Mr Buchholz is pleased that closing our borders to illegal arrivals will open them to those who plan on making Australia home the right way.
“During the 2013 election I can recall speaking with many local residents who were concerned by the frequency of illegal boat arrivals. In particular, new Australians who have chosen our community as their home were the most vocal having gone through the rigorous immigration process and settled here the right way” said Mr Buchholz.
“The progress we are making in strengthening our borders is restoring confidence in our migration programme. We are an immigrant country and a successful immigration programme requires that it operate with integrity” said Mr Buchholz.
The six month milestone is worthy of celebration, however the Government remains resolute in its determination to stop the boats once and for all.
