BORDER PROTECTION COMMAND INTERCEPTS VESSEL
22 October 2009
Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.
The HMAS Armidale, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel at approximately 6.28 am (AEDST) today 7 nautical miles west of Christmas Island.
The vessel was identified by a P3 maritime patrol aircraft, under the control of Border Protection Command.
Initial indications suggest there are 32 passengers on board the vessel; however numbers are yet to be confirmed.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, said Australia is committed to addressing people smuggling.
“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," Mr O'Connor said.
“We must also remember that 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 Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka 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. In the last 12 months there have been 85 disruptions of people smuggling ventures in Indonesia, and the arrest of 19 people smuggling organisers," Mr O'Connor said.
“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."
Contact:
Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567 or
Customs & Border Protection media: (02) 6275 6793
