‘Chilling’: Grace Tame’s dark election theory about boat arrival

Grace Tame has raised concerns over claims the last-minute arrival of a Sri Lankan boat may have been timed as an “election stunt”.

There are unverified claims the arrival of a Sri Lankan boat carrying asylum seekers in Australia may have been orchestrated as an “election stunt”.

Journalist Karen Middleton told ABC News Breakfast this morning she had received a message from a Sri Lankan man on April 26, who said a friend in Colombo had seen people being put on two boats by Sri Lankan police.

“He said it was designed as an election stunt to arrive in Australia just before the election,” Middleton alleged.

The journalist, author of a biography of Labor leader Anthony Albanese, said she had been unable to verify the information and was not able to publish the story but it was interesting a boat had now been detected.

Despite the Coalition generally refusing to provide details of “on-water matters”, a press release was issued by the Australian Border Force today to confirm the arrival of a vessel.

“A vessel has been intercepted in a likely attempt to illegally enter Australia from Sri Lanka,” Border Force said in a statement.

It follows a story in The Australian this morning the Sri Lankan navy had intercepted a fishing vessel carrying dozens of people on Wednesday.

Middleton tweeted this afternoon there were “2 boats, one intercepted by the Sri Lankan navy & one by the Australian Border Force”.

She also wrote: “Informant described it as ‘an election stunt’. Maybe it’s a coincidence”.

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame tweeted footage of Middleton’s appearance and commented the interception of a boat “on the eve of an election” was “a chilling a coincidence”.

Grace Tame has expressed concern over claims about a Sri Lankan asylum seeker boat. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

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“As well as being xenophobic, this vitriolic, fear-mongering rhetoric is blatant propaganda designed to undermine opponents,” she wrote.

“Our nation is better than this.

“Whatever the truth is in this case, people are not pawns. People are people.”

Some journalists noted the breach in convention in releasing details of the boat.

Scott Morrison just confirmed a boat was intercepted from Sri Lanka, an ON WATER MATTER. A breach of protocol he established as immigration minister not to comment on those, no?#auspol#ausvotes

— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) May 21, 2022

The Liberal Party also looks to be sending out last-minute text messages to voters notifying them about the arrival of the boat.

The liberal party is mass texting Australians a breaking "news alert" telling them ABF has intercepted an illegal boat trying to reach australia. It links to voting instructions for the liberal party. @abcnews AEC says it appears properly authorised pic.twitter.com/kQneq38JZK

— Elise Worthington (@elisereports) May 21, 2022

Pathetic last minute scare campaign. Get in the bin @LiberalNSWpic.twitter.com/7SkDOet3Ji

— Amber Robinson (@missrobinson) May 21, 2022

In its statement Border Force said the Australian Government’s policy “remains unchanged”.

“We will intercept any vessel seeking to reach Australia illegally and to safely return those on board to their point of departure or country of origin.

“Measures and safeguards are in place to enable actions and activities to be undertaken in accordance with Australian domestic law and Australia’s obligations under international law.

“The overriding priority for all agencies involved in Operation Sovereign Borders is the safety of all persons involved, including potential illegal immigrants and vessel crews as well as Australian personnel.

“In line with long standing practice, we will make no further comment.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also confirmed this morning a boat from Sri Lanka was intercepted by authorities.

He said it was a “likely attempt” to illegally enter Australia.

The Australian Border Force confirmed the arrival of a vessel. Picture: Anna Rogers

“I can confirm that there’s been an interception of a vessel en route to Australia,” Mr Morrison told reporters, after casting his vote in his local electorate of Cook.

“That vessel has been intercepted in accordance with the policies of the government and they’re following those normal protocols.

“I’ve been here to stop this boat, but in order for me to be there to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberal and Nationals today.”