Mayo candidate Georgina Downer criticises Rebekha Sharkie over asylum seeker policy

BORDER protection has became a new battleground in the Mayo by-election, after the revelation a suspected asylum seeker boat was intercepted off northern Australia.

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BORDER protection has became a new battleground in the Mayo by-election, after the revelation a suspected asylum seeker boat was intercepted off northern Australia.

Liberal Mayo candidate Georgina Downer criticised the Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie for calling for an end to indefinite offshore detention and for asylum seekers to be resettled in New Zealand.

Ms Downer accused Ms Sharkie and Labor leader Bill Shorten of trying to weaken Australia’s borders.

“Any change to our strong border protection policies are dangerous and will see the deadly (people smuggling) trade restart and people dying at sea,’’ Ms Downer said.

“Only the Coalition can be trusted to keep our borders safe and secure. Sharkie and Shorten’s position to weaken our borders are dangerous and would see the people smugglers back in business.’’

Centre Alliance candidate for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

Liberal candidate for Mayo Georgina Downer. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Ms Sharkie questioned why a photo of an asylum-seeker boat had become public two weeks out from the four July 28 by-elections.

“I just think this smacks of political desperation,’’ she said.

Ms Sharkie said Australia should be doing more to find third-country resettlement options for asylum seekers currently housed on Nauru and Manus Island.

“Let us consider New Zealand, let us actively approach Canada and other countries. We accepted and negotiated an arrangement with America,’’ she said.

“I don’t think we can afford financially, or from the perspective of Australia’s reputation, to not actively resettle asylum seekers.’’

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said he didn’t think the attempted boat arrival had been intentionally timed to coincide with the lead-up to the Super Saturday by-elections.

“No, I think this boat is a reminder of the fact that people smugglers just haven’t gone away,’’ he told Sky News.

The Federal Government is concerned that asylum seekers granted permanent residency in New Zealand could ultimately end up in Australia because of the open border arrangement between the countries.

Mr Dutton said he would only consider sending asylum seekers to New Zealand if the reciprocal visa arrangements were changed to prevent them from travelling to Australia.