BORDER PROTECTION COMMAND INTERCEPTS VESSEL
23 November 2009
Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.
The HMAS Bathurst operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel in Australia's contiguous zone at approximately 3:35pm (AEDST) on 23 November approximately 100 nautical miles north-west of Derby, West Australia.
Initial indications are that 56 people and two crew are onboard the vessel.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, said 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," Mr O'Connor said.
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," Mr O'Connor said.
"The Australian Government remains vigilant and committed to protecting Australia's borders and today's successful interception by Border Protection Command continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proactive response program in place.
"The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established."
Media Contact:
Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793
