BORDER PROTECTION COMMAND INTERCEPTS VESSEL
15 November 2009
Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.
HMAS Pirie, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel at approximately 5:12 pm (AEDST) 18 nautical miles north east of Ashmore Island.
The vessel was identified by a RAAF P3 aircraft, operating under the control of Border Protection Command.
Initial indications suggest there are 29 passengers and 4 crew on board the vessel.
Australia is proactively working with our neighbours, through bilateral cooperation and the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, to address this most serious issue.
People smuggling is a global and regional problem. 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.
The Australian Government has committed more than $654 million to implementing a comprehensive people smuggling strategy to combat this issue. The Government has expanded its presence in the region with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service recently setting up or expanding liaison posts devoted to deterring irregular migration.
Agencies are working closely with their counterparts in country exchanging and gathering information, and strengthening our regional capacity to mitigate irregular migration to Australia. Our strengthened offshore approach is working.
For example, since September 2008, the efforts of the Indonesian National Police have resulted in 88 disruptions of planned people smuggling ventures involving the interception, apprehension or detention of groups of foreign nationals who had an intention for further onward travel to Australia. Disruption activities have prevented approximately 2,160 persons from potentially travelling to Australia by illegal means.
The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks as well as establish their reasons for travel.
Media Contact:
Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567
Customs and Border Protection media: (02) 6275 6793
