SUSPECTED IRREGULAR ENTRY VESSEL
11 December 2009
A suspected irregular entry vessel arrived at approximately 1:30pm (AEDST) yesterday, 10 December, in the vicinity of Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island.
Initial indications suggest there are 60 passengers and 3 crew on board the vessel.
Situations around the world mean that large numbers of displaced persons are looking for settlement and can be targeted by, and fall prey to, people smugglers.
According to the UNHCR 2008 Global Trends report, there were 42 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2008, including 15.2 million refugees.
People smuggling is not just an issue for Australia – it is a global and regional problem. The commitment of our neighbours, through bilateral cooperation and the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, is critical to addressing this most serious issue.
The Australian Government has an orderly and planned migration program and places a high priority on protecting Australia’s borders from irregular maritime arrivals by maintaining an effective and visible tactical response program of aerial, land and sea-based patrols.
The Australian Government’s Border Protection Command uses a combination of Customs and Border Protection and Defence assets to deliver a coordinated national response to security threats in Australia’s maritime domain.
The Australian Government remains vigilant and committed to protecting Australia’s borders.
The group will undergo security, identity and health checks on Christmas Island and their reasons for travel will be established
Media Contact:
Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567 or
Customs and Border Protection media (02) 6275 6793
