The federal government won't say whether a Customs vessel accidentally ripped the bow off a rickety asylum seeker boat while towing it near Christmas island, throwing passengers into the water.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison rebuffed the opposition when it sought clarification of the alleged incident in parliament, accusing Labor of running a "right to know" campaign for people smugglers.
"I know the opposition would like us to hand over the PIN number to Operation Sovereign Borders to the people smugglers. But we are not going to do that," he said during question time on Tuesday.
It's believed the Customs vessel had to rescue 40 people from the water on Friday night before taking them to Christmas Island on Sunday.
"Is this the first attempt at tow-back? And is this an example of it being safe to do so?" opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles asked.
Labor had sought details earlier in the day during a senate estimates committee hearing into border control issues.
"I think that's getting into the actual conduct of operations," Customs and Border Protection Service chief executive Michael Pezzullo told the hearing in Canberra.
Operation Sovereign Borders commander Angus Campbell also declined to give details when queried during the afternoon session of the hearing.
"I'm not in a position to advise you in more detail," Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell.
But he did say it would be discussed during the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders briefing on Friday.
Labor senator Kim Carr asked if he classified the case as a serious incident.
Lt Gen Campbell said cases of loss of life at sea were serious incidents.
He had the authority to recommend to the minister whether or not an incident was serious enough to warrant public disclosure outside the Friday briefings.
Senator Carr quoted Senate standing orders requiring public officials not to withhold information to estimates hearings.
Committee chair Ian MacDonald made a comparison that military operations in war zones would be compromised if information was divulged at hearings.
Lt Gen Campbell defended the strict media protocol as well concerns within the military about the politicisation of his role.
"I'm not involved in the political process," he said.
He wasn't seeking to disrespect the Senate, however there were advantages to the periodic release of information.
Lt Gen Campbell also declined to comment on whether boats had been turned back to Indonesia since Operation Sovereign Borders began on September 18 after the new coalition government came to power.
Share
