Two asylum seeker boats intercepted

22 Feb 2012, 5:19 pm   -   Source: AAP
Share This

Another two asylum seeker boats have been intercepted in Australian waters.

Another two boats carrying almost 200 asylum seekers have arrived in Australian waters, taking the total for the year so far to well above 1000 people.

The vessels - one carrying 98 passengers and the other 96 - were both intercepted north of Christmas Island on Tuesday night.

They add to a spate of arrivals over the last week that has taken the total number of asylum seekers who have arrived by boat in 2012 to 1165.

Coalition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison seized on the news.

"These latest arrivals mean that so far this summer 2186 people have arrived on 26 illegal boats, the highest level of illegal boat arrivals over a summer on record," Mr Morrison said in a statement.

"Labor has lost control of our borders and themselves. Their only response as every boat arrives on their watch is to blame others for their failures."

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen did exactly that, renewing his call on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to support the government's legislation to reinstate offshore processing.

Mr Bowen said the rate of asylum seekers arriving by boat had more than doubled since the coalition decided not to support the government's bill.

"Enough is enough. Australians expect Mr Abbott to work with the government to stop people risking their lives at sea," Mr Bowen said.

"Tony Abbott says he wants to stop the boats but he is not willing to do what it takes to make this happen - it's all talk and no action."

Mr Bowen on Wednesday welcomed experts from across the globe who have come to Australia for discussions about international refugee resettlement services.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube