Labor demand briefing as Home Affairs Minister says Albo gaffe is ‘diabolical’

Federal Labor has accused the government of “politicising intelligence information” after the Home Affairs Minister said Anthony Albanese’s bungle about border policy would be picked up by people smugglers.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese’s bungle on his own party’s border policy this week will be picked up by people smugglers in their marketing of their illegal trade, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews warned.

The Home Affairs Minister, who oversees Operation Sovereign Borders, said there had been “increased chatter” from the people smugglers as the election approached even prior to the fumble.

But Labor’s Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally accused the government of “politicising intelligence information” during an election campaign and said the Opposition would seek a briefing “as a matter of urgency”.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese this week said he would turn back asylum seeker boats but would not need offshore detention because the policy had been successful, before later being forced to clarify Labor still supported offshore detention.

Ms Andrews said the Opposition leader was “flip flopping” on policy and it would impact Australia’s border security.

“Those comments without a doubt would have been picked up overseas almost immediately,” she said.

“They will be able to use that to try and restart ventures here to Australia. It is really diabolical.

“We know when the election was announced there was an increase in chatter from the people smugglers. We know this for a fact.”

Ms Andrews said there had not been an influx of refugees from Afghanistan in the wake of the US’s withdrawal from the country, but there were still refugee cohorts in Indonesia.

“We monitor that situation very closely. We know there are a number of Afghans currently in Indonesia,” she said.

Opposition Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Senator Keneally said it was concerning that intelligence information appeared to be being politicised.

“If Karen Andrews does indeed have intelligence that suggests that there is a surge in people smuggling ventures to Australia on the Morrison Government’s watch, then she should immediately arrange for a briefing during this caretaker period to allow the alternative government to be properly briefed by intelligence agencies,” she said.

“This is classic behaviour from a desperate government.”

She said there was no difference between Liberal and Labor policies on Operation Sovereign Borders and both included offshore processing, regional resettlement, and boat turn-backs.

“Let’s be clear – if you attempt to come to Australia by boat, you will not make it,” Senator Keneally said.

“Mr Morrison should focus on the national interest, rather than trying to manufacture differences with the Opposition before an election.”

Originally published as Labor demand briefing as Home Affairs Minister says Albo gaffe is ‘diabolical’