The Federal Government is facing a political storm following the unnoticed arrival of 12 individuals by boat on Australian soil.
Whether the group that landed in a remote part of Western Australia are fishermen or asylum seekers is still up for debate.
The government will adhere to a long-standing policy of not commenting on the arrival, Nine Network Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher said Today this morning. However, the incident presents a significant political challenge.
“Over the past ten or so years, it has become clear that this can be a dangerous and occasionally fatal path. That’s the reason why this morning will be worrying,” he stated.
Furthermore, the opposition is thought to be strong on the issue of unauthorised boat arrivals, which is something the Albanese government will be hesitant to take on politically.
“The other thing those inside government will say to you, is that the one thing that spurs boat arrivals more is the discussion of boat arrivals,” said Croucher.
“The talk of it in general begins that process again and helps the people smuggling ventures.”
According to the ABC, the Indonesian ship has reached the isolated northeast of Western Australia’s Anjo Peninsula.
Before being taken into custody by the police, the “not in good shape” inhabitants were picked up by Indigenous people living in the area. There is no sign of the boat.
9news has reached out to the Australian Border Force for a response.The reports were deemed “alarming” by Senator James Paterson, the opposition’s spokeswoman on home affairs.
“Reports of an illegal maritime arrival in northern Western Australia is a further sign that Labour has failed on border security,” he stated in a statement.
“If confirmed, this would be the tenth people smuggling venture to attempt to arrive illegally in Australia since May 2022, and reports that they successfully reached the Australian coast are particularly alarming.”
