5 years ago
MORRISON ORDERS ABF TO STOP PATROLLING
SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
The cuts and chaos of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government are putting at risk Australia’s border security with reports the Australian Border Force fleet has been ordered to stop patrols to save money on fuel.
It is a disgrace that Morrison’s budget cuts are putting Australia’s border security at risk.
Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton must explain why they have ordered “operational limitations” on ABF boats, including Cape Class and Bay Class vessels, which are integral to Australia’s border protection.
If Scott Morrison claims to be so strong on border protection – why is he inflicting these savage cuts on a critical function of the Australian Border Force? Was he hoping he could sweep these savage cuts under the rug?
Cape class patrol boats have been described as the “workhorses” of the ABF fleet which are “absolutely critical platform for our maritime security operations” and help target people smuggling, illegal fishing, and other transnational crime.
This latest round of cuts follows news a fleet of Fast Response Boats used to navigate the difficult waters of the Torres Strait have been pulled from service.
Why is Scott Morrison stopping the boats that protect Australia’s borders?
Scott Morrison has spent all week spreading baseless lies about Labor’s strong position on border protection to mask his own Government’s chaos when, in fact, he is the one undermining Australia’s border protection and national security.
Scott Morrison’s shameful and ever-increasing record includes:
It is a disgrace that Morrison’s budget cuts are putting Australia’s border security at risk.
Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton must explain why they have ordered “operational limitations” on ABF boats, including Cape Class and Bay Class vessels, which are integral to Australia’s border protection.
If Scott Morrison claims to be so strong on border protection – why is he inflicting these savage cuts on a critical function of the Australian Border Force? Was he hoping he could sweep these savage cuts under the rug?
Cape class patrol boats have been described as the “workhorses” of the ABF fleet which are “absolutely critical platform for our maritime security operations” and help target people smuggling, illegal fishing, and other transnational crime.
This latest round of cuts follows news a fleet of Fast Response Boats used to navigate the difficult waters of the Torres Strait have been pulled from service.
Why is Scott Morrison stopping the boats that protect Australia’s borders?
Scott Morrison has spent all week spreading baseless lies about Labor’s strong position on border protection to mask his own Government’s chaos when, in fact, he is the one undermining Australia’s border protection and national security.
Scott Morrison’s shameful and ever-increasing record includes:
- Slashing ABF staff at airports over the busy Christmas holiday period due to $300 million in budget blowouts – meaning long delays for people travelling to and from Australia to see their family and friends;
- Announcing the privatisation of Australia’s visa processing system – handing over the frontline of our border control system to a private company in a move that will slash 3000 Australian jobs ultimately weaken the integrity of Australia’s borders;
- Overseeing record high levels of people claiming asylum in Australia with a record number of 27,931 onshore protection visa applications made in the 2017-18 financial year alone; and
- Shamefully teaming up with the Greens to block the Malaysia Solution resulting in over 600 people drowning at sea.
It’s clear the real threat undermining Australia’s border security is the cuts and chaos of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.