People smuggler threat to Australia, NZ remains, Peter Dutton warns as ‘sophisticated’ operation thwarted
PETER Dutton has revealed a boat carrying more than 100 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Australia or New Zealand was part of a more sophisticated people smuggling ring than expected.
National
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A PEOPLE-smuggling operation thwarted from shipping more than 100 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Australia or New Zealand was “more complex” and “sophisticated” than authorities expected.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed today the shipping freighter carrying 131 people, intercepted by Malaysian authorities at sea last Tuesday, was of a “significant size” and capable of reaching New Zealand.
Refugees, including nine children, were found by authorities crammed under a makeshift tent on the deck of the rusted vessel.
“It underscores the fact that this is a significant issue for our country, for New Zealand and for other countries in the region,” Mr Dutton said today.
“We are cognisant of the fact that this vessel is of significant size, probably larger than what we would expect to see otherwise.”
Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne, Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, agreed the people smuggling operations were evolving.
He said the larger ship, “far more complex and sophisticated” operation and larger number of people involved were all examples of how the industry was changing.
“We certainly don’t want to rest on our laurels and we need to stay adapted and changing to the threat as it changes,” he said.
The Home Affairs Minister took a veiled swipe at New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and condemned the Australian federal Labor Party for their position on asylum seekers as he detailed more about the people-smuggling operation.
The New Zealand PM has repeated a standing offer to take 150 refugees from Australia’s offshore detention centre since taking office, while Mr Dutton claims the Labor Party intends to water down Australia’s border protection measures if it wins government here.
Mr Dutton said he did not think New Zealand should accept blame for the most recent boat but he warned anyone talking about asylum seeker immigration policy to be “careful
and circumspect about what it is that they’re saying”.
“It will be interpreted a particular way by people smugglers who are pumping out messages through social media, sending text messages to prospective customers to pay their money to get onto the boat, that somebody from New Zealand has said this or somebody from the Labor Party in Australia has said that,” Mr Dutton said.
The Minister said New Zealand “now understands the gravity of this situation”.
Twelve people have been detained by Malaysian authorities for their suspected involvement in the people-smuggling operation.
Mr Dutton confirmed today they were known to authorities.
More than 30 boats have been turned back since the last successful illegal boat arrival three years and nine months ago.
There were 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls on board the latest vessel.
Originally published as People smuggler threat to Australia, NZ remains, Peter Dutton warns as ‘sophisticated’ operation thwarted