'We could stop the boats, full stop'

15 Oct 2012, 12:06 pm   -   Source: AAP
The opposition insists it has a policy that will halt

The opposition insists it has a policy that will halt "full stop" the flow of asylum seeker boats. (AAP)

Opposition Senate leader Eric Abetz says the coalition has a policy that could stop the arrival of asylum seeker boats "full stop".

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The federal opposition insists it has a policy that will halt "full stop" the flow of asylum seeker boats.

"They can be stopped again just as they were in the past," senior Liberal Eric Abetz told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

The opposition's Senate leader was responding to a surge of arrivals over the weekend, when boats carrying a total of more than 300 people were intercepted by Australian authorities.

"The coalition has a policy approach which would ensure the boats are stopped full stop," Senator Abetz said, citing the "true, tried and tested" measures of turning back the boats, offshore processing and reintroduction of temporary protection visas.

"It's worked in the past. No reason why it can't work again in the future," he said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is in Jakarta where he will have talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on topics including people smuggling.

"What better way to do that (halt people smugglers) than to get Indonesia's assistance as well," Senator Abetz said.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says border protection is in chaos as people smugglers are sending boats in record numbers.

"They know Labor's heart is just not in it," he said.

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne said people escaping appalling circumstances in Afghanistan or elsewhere and seeking a better life in Australia would not be deterred.

"What we should be doing is putting money into the camps in Indonesia," she said, adding asylum assessments there could be done quicker.

That would provide safe pathways to Australia and other places, she said.

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