One boat, 184 people, $180,000 cost to you to process each - that's $33,120,000 you weren't expecting.
Friday, 03 May 2013
UNCLASSIFIED
THE HON. JASON CLARE MP
CABINET SECRETARY
MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS
MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
MEDIA RELEASE
3 May 2013
Border Protection Command intercepts vessel
HMAS Maryborough, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel north-west of Christmas Island on Wednesday.
Indications suggest there were 184 passengers and two crew on board.
Border Protection Command has transferred to the people to Australian Government authorities on Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.
People arriving by boat without a visa after 13 August 2012 run the risk of transfer to a regional processing country.