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Friday, November 15, 2013 12:59:29 AM
Boat secrecy to continue as Scott Morrison dismissive of Senate order
Date November 15, 2013 - 3:51PM
Deborah Snow
VIDEO
Morrison shields military
The government is moving to counter criticism it's politicising the military in Operation Sovereign Borders, while citing new evidence its policies are working.
* Australian politics: full coverage
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics
* Abbott's new world order
http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbotts-new-world-order-20131114-2xji4.html?rand=1384435202955
* Asylum policy threatening families
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-policy-of-deterrence-threatening-families-20131114-2xjnr.html
* Sri Lankan navy officer accused of people smuggling
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seekers-sri-lankan-navy-officer-sanjeewa-annatugoda-briefed-australian-officials-20131114-2xjqv.html?rand=1384463701416
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has refused to reveal if he will comply with a Senate demand for reports .. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/senate-orders-scott-morrison-to-reveal-asylum-seeker-details-20131114-2xi8a.html .. on all asylum seeker incidents at sea, arguing that the previous government had failed to comply with 75 similar requests for papers.
Challenged on whether he considered himself answerable to the Senate, Mr Morrison replied that he considered himself "answerable to the Australian people".
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Operation Sovereign Borders Commander, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell defended the government's secrecy on asylum seekers on Friday. Photo: Tamara Dean
But in response to mounting pressure over the Abbott government's secrecy on the issue, he and the military head of "Operation Sovereign Borders", Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell, offered their most detailed defence yet of the way in which they have been doling out information.
Speaking at a briefing in Sydney alongside Mr Morrison, General Campbell said that giving vessel-by-vessel updates in real time was "potentially offering proof of life, proof of transit services, to people smugglers" and that delaying such information could disrupt their cash flows.
Mr Morrison also defended his decision to side-step parliamentary questions on asylum seekers, indicating that he will continue to make his weekly media briefings the main avenue for releasing information.
However he announced he would be changing the structure of the weekly briefings so that General Campbell would no longer appear alongside him for their entire duration.
Instead, General Campbell will give his own operational briefing alongside Mr Morrison, take a few questions, and then leave the "general" section of the weekly press conferences to the minister.
Mr Morrison said this was to protect the "integrity" of the ADF.
He and General Campbell rejected suggestions that the more rigorous separation of roles reflected mounting concern inside Defence that General Campbell's role was appearing to be increasingly politicised.
In relation to revelations in Fairfax Media that a decorated former Sri Lankan naval officer had been arrested on people smuggling charges, Mr Morrison denied that there was a systemic problem inside the Sri Lankan navy.
He said the arrest of Lieutenant-Commander Sanjeewa Annatugoda was evidence that " it doesn't matter who you are, when we work with our partners to track down [people smugglers] there are no exceptions, it doesn't matter in what sphere of life you are in".
He also conceded that he had asked his department to investigate the treatment of Latifa, a Rohingyan asylum seeker who gave birth in Brisbane and was only allowed restricted access to the baby .. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seeker-separated-from-her-sick-newborn-in-brisbane-20131113-2xh0f.html .. in neonatal intensive care while she had to return to a Brisbane detention centre.
He said he had been advised that "this mother was being treated the same ... apart from obviously her detention arrangements ... in terms of access to the hospital as any other Australia would" but that he had asked his department to "look at the arrangements" that were made.
While the Senate had this week voted to require Mr Morrison to reveal details about asylum seeker boats, Mr Morrison was dismissive of the order, saying ‘‘ I find it ... passing strange that the opposition would now be insisting on something they never complied with in government’’.
Mr Morrison also appeared to confirm that Australian border protection vessels were passing notes to boats carrying asylum-seekers telling them to turn around.
Asked if was aware of such a practice, he replied "of course I am aware of what we do. We make sure that people understand what our policies are, whether that's at sea, whether that's in Indonesia, whether it's in Malaysia, whether its in Pakistan , or any of these places."
Mr Morrison said there had been 707 maritime arrivals in the past eight weeks under Operation Sovereign Borders, compared with more than 3000 in the eight weeks prior to the election.
He soft-pedalled recent criticisms of Indonesia, when he'd said there was no " rhyme or reason" in Jakarta's refusal to take 60 asylum seekers rescued by an Australian vessel off Java last week.
He said this had been a "candid comment" and that "the most helpful comments ... are the ones that are not made, frankly".
And in a further attempt to mollify Jakarta, Mr Morrison praised Indonesia's role in helping to disrupt more than 1200 potential departures.
"The Indonesian government are doing a fantastic job on on-land disruption," he said.
General Campbell said three ‘‘illegal entry vessels’’ had arrived since the start of November, two at Christmas Island and one in Darwin on Monday.
He said there were currently 1157 people being held on Manus, 629 on Nauru and 2217 on Christmas Island, and that 31 ‘‘maritime arrivals’’ from Iran and Iraq had recently elected to go home ‘‘ voluntarily’’.
Going on to defend the carefully staged release of information on asylum seeker arrivals, General Campbell said people smugglers used ‘‘official announcements of vessel interceptions to persuade people that the way to Australia remains open - it does not’’.
He added ‘‘we know that passengers have been told on occasions by people smugglers not to be concerned by the poor state of their vessel, by the inexperience of their crew, by the lack of provisions on board, because their voyage will be short and they will very quickly marry up with an Australian vessel nearby. These false assurances place people’s lives at considerable risk.’’
He added that on occasion "this had led people to sabotage their own vessel".
Poll: Do you think that the Abbott government's policy of deterring asylum seekers has gone too far?
Yes 77% No 23% Total votes: 10349. Poll closes in 4 hours.
Vote now: Deterrence of asylum seekers
Disclaimer:
These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/boat-secrecy-to-continue-as-scott-morrison-dismissive-of-senate-order-20131115-2xltg.html#poll
Date November 15, 2013 - 3:51PM
Deborah Snow
VIDEO
Morrison shields military
The government is moving to counter criticism it's politicising the military in Operation Sovereign Borders, while citing new evidence its policies are working.
* Australian politics: full coverage
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics
* Abbott's new world order
http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbotts-new-world-order-20131114-2xji4.html?rand=1384435202955
* Asylum policy threatening families
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-policy-of-deterrence-threatening-families-20131114-2xjnr.html
* Sri Lankan navy officer accused of people smuggling
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seekers-sri-lankan-navy-officer-sanjeewa-annatugoda-briefed-australian-officials-20131114-2xjqv.html?rand=1384463701416
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has refused to reveal if he will comply with a Senate demand for reports .. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/senate-orders-scott-morrison-to-reveal-asylum-seeker-details-20131114-2xi8a.html .. on all asylum seeker incidents at sea, arguing that the previous government had failed to comply with 75 similar requests for papers.
Challenged on whether he considered himself answerable to the Senate, Mr Morrison replied that he considered himself "answerable to the Australian people".
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Operation Sovereign Borders Commander, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell defended the government's secrecy on asylum seekers on Friday. Photo: Tamara Dean
But in response to mounting pressure over the Abbott government's secrecy on the issue, he and the military head of "Operation Sovereign Borders", Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell, offered their most detailed defence yet of the way in which they have been doling out information.
Speaking at a briefing in Sydney alongside Mr Morrison, General Campbell said that giving vessel-by-vessel updates in real time was "potentially offering proof of life, proof of transit services, to people smugglers" and that delaying such information could disrupt their cash flows.
Mr Morrison also defended his decision to side-step parliamentary questions on asylum seekers, indicating that he will continue to make his weekly media briefings the main avenue for releasing information.
However he announced he would be changing the structure of the weekly briefings so that General Campbell would no longer appear alongside him for their entire duration.
Instead, General Campbell will give his own operational briefing alongside Mr Morrison, take a few questions, and then leave the "general" section of the weekly press conferences to the minister.
Mr Morrison said this was to protect the "integrity" of the ADF.
He and General Campbell rejected suggestions that the more rigorous separation of roles reflected mounting concern inside Defence that General Campbell's role was appearing to be increasingly politicised.
In relation to revelations in Fairfax Media that a decorated former Sri Lankan naval officer had been arrested on people smuggling charges, Mr Morrison denied that there was a systemic problem inside the Sri Lankan navy.
He said the arrest of Lieutenant-Commander Sanjeewa Annatugoda was evidence that " it doesn't matter who you are, when we work with our partners to track down [people smugglers] there are no exceptions, it doesn't matter in what sphere of life you are in".
He also conceded that he had asked his department to investigate the treatment of Latifa, a Rohingyan asylum seeker who gave birth in Brisbane and was only allowed restricted access to the baby .. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seeker-separated-from-her-sick-newborn-in-brisbane-20131113-2xh0f.html .. in neonatal intensive care while she had to return to a Brisbane detention centre.
He said he had been advised that "this mother was being treated the same ... apart from obviously her detention arrangements ... in terms of access to the hospital as any other Australia would" but that he had asked his department to "look at the arrangements" that were made.
While the Senate had this week voted to require Mr Morrison to reveal details about asylum seeker boats, Mr Morrison was dismissive of the order, saying ‘‘ I find it ... passing strange that the opposition would now be insisting on something they never complied with in government’’.
Mr Morrison also appeared to confirm that Australian border protection vessels were passing notes to boats carrying asylum-seekers telling them to turn around.
Asked if was aware of such a practice, he replied "of course I am aware of what we do. We make sure that people understand what our policies are, whether that's at sea, whether that's in Indonesia, whether it's in Malaysia, whether its in Pakistan , or any of these places."
Mr Morrison said there had been 707 maritime arrivals in the past eight weeks under Operation Sovereign Borders, compared with more than 3000 in the eight weeks prior to the election.
He soft-pedalled recent criticisms of Indonesia, when he'd said there was no " rhyme or reason" in Jakarta's refusal to take 60 asylum seekers rescued by an Australian vessel off Java last week.
He said this had been a "candid comment" and that "the most helpful comments ... are the ones that are not made, frankly".
And in a further attempt to mollify Jakarta, Mr Morrison praised Indonesia's role in helping to disrupt more than 1200 potential departures.
"The Indonesian government are doing a fantastic job on on-land disruption," he said.
General Campbell said three ‘‘illegal entry vessels’’ had arrived since the start of November, two at Christmas Island and one in Darwin on Monday.
He said there were currently 1157 people being held on Manus, 629 on Nauru and 2217 on Christmas Island, and that 31 ‘‘maritime arrivals’’ from Iran and Iraq had recently elected to go home ‘‘ voluntarily’’.
Going on to defend the carefully staged release of information on asylum seeker arrivals, General Campbell said people smugglers used ‘‘official announcements of vessel interceptions to persuade people that the way to Australia remains open - it does not’’.
He added ‘‘we know that passengers have been told on occasions by people smugglers not to be concerned by the poor state of their vessel, by the inexperience of their crew, by the lack of provisions on board, because their voyage will be short and they will very quickly marry up with an Australian vessel nearby. These false assurances place people’s lives at considerable risk.’’
He added that on occasion "this had led people to sabotage their own vessel".
Poll: Do you think that the Abbott government's policy of deterring asylum seekers has gone too far?
Yes 77% No 23% Total votes: 10349. Poll closes in 4 hours.
Vote now: Deterrence of asylum seekers
Disclaimer:
These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/boat-secrecy-to-continue-as-scott-morrison-dismissive-of-senate-order-20131115-2xltg.html#poll
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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