Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has flagged the closure of more onshore detention centres and the use of "different" methods of preventing boat arrivals, as the first phase of Operation Sovereign Borders ends.
Mr Morrison says he will no longer provide regular weekly media briefings on the government's efforts against people smuggling because the "establishment phase" of the operation is now over.
In the past month no boats have arrived but there have been a number of incidents in which boats were reportedly turned back to Indonesia.
"This government is stopping the boats - they are not yet stopped and we will continue to provide information as we are able to do that will not jeopardise future operations," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
The minister said that having announced the closure of four onshore detention centres - saving the federal budget almost $90 million a year - the government would consider more closures this year.
He says work is underway on providing facilities for arrivals who had completed their processing on Nauru and Manus Island, but talks have not been concluded on their future entitlements.
Mr Morrison said this would depend on what the Papua New Guinea and Nauruan governments were prepared to offer.
The minister repeatedly declined to comment on whether Operation Sovereign Borders had to date involved towing back or turning back boats into Indonesian waters, but he said the government respected Indonesia's sovereignty.
"Border protection command is doing things differently to provide active deterrence to those seeking to enter Australia illegally by boat," he said.
Operation commander Angus Campbell confirmed that Customs had bought a number of lifeboats for its operations, but refused to say how they would be used.
He said he would provide a comprehensive report on the success of the operation in late March after the end of the monsoon season, traditionally a quiet time for boat arrivals.
General Campbell said he was satisfied with the professional conduct of his officers after an investigation into claims by asylum seekers that they were handcuffed and verbally abused on a voyage back to Indonesia.
But he said the investigators did not talk to the asylum seekers who made the allegations.
Mr Morrison said a situation at Christmas Island, where asylum seekers were allegedly committing acts of self-harm, was "under control" but he would not go into detail as it would encourage further protests.
The minister flagged tougher penalties for people from outside detention centres who assist detainees in escaping onshore centres.
This followed several incidents at the Yongah Hill centre east of Perth.
Asked about a number of High Court challenges under way to federal migration laws, Mr Morrison said he would not speculate on how the government would respond to any judgments.
Mr Morrison also confirmed reports that the government has taken on the workplace safety liability of navy sailors taking part in Operation Sovereign Borders.
"What it does is protect the individual officers from any liability," he said.
Share
