Operation Sovereign Borders update - 3 January 2014
This statement provides an update on Operation Sovereign Borders activities related to the off-water reception and processing of illegal maritime arrivals.
The reporting period is from 9.00am Friday 27 December 2013 to 9.00am Friday 3 January 2014.
During this reporting period there were no illegal maritime arrivals transferred to Australian Immigration authorities. One suspected illegal entry vessel, intercepted in the vicinity of Melville Island on Wednesday 1 January, and the subject of media reporting, is currently at sea under the control of Border Protection Command.
No people were transferred to offshore processing centres during the week.
Four illegal maritime arrival detainees were involuntarily removed to Sri Lanka and one illegal maritime arrival detainee was voluntarily removed to Iraq. Their removal from Australia is consistent with Australia's obligations.
As at 9.00am Friday 3 January, there were a total of 1229 people on Manus Island, 838 people in Nauru and 2193 people in the Christmas Island facilities.
The journey to Australia by boat is dangerous at any time, but the current monsoon season is a particularly hazardous time to attempt such a voyage.
Anyone who attempts to come to Australia by boat without a visa will be sent to an Offshore Processing Centre in Papua New Guinea or Nauru. They will not be settled in Australia.