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People smugglers want to test a future Shorten government

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seizing upon newspaper reports that people smugglers are preparing to try and send people to Australia by boat again if Opposition leader Bill Shorten wins this year's federal election.

Asylum seekers arriving by boat
Asylum seekers arriving by boat Source: AAP

The Age newspaper is reporting a former people smuggler now living in Pakistan has been asked by his former bosses to return to Indonesia and test a future government led by Mr Shorten by finding passengers willing to travel on asylum seeker boats to Australia.

Whilst the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper is reporting international syndicates who've sent refugees to Europe are preparing to refocus their businesses on Australia if Mr Shorten becomes Prime Minister.

Mr Morrison says people smugglers think Mr Shroten is weak when it comes to defending Australia's borders.

"The people smugglers know they won't get through me and Peter Dutton, - Mr Morrison said. - They know our resolve. They won't try it on with us. Because they know what they'll meet. But they'll certainly have know they're going to have a crack at Bill Shorten, if he ever becomes Prime Minister. And they are preparing to do that as we speak."

More in English via SBS News.


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Source: AFP, SBS




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