Minister media release

Border Protection Command boards vessel - 4 June 2010

HMAS Maryborough, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, boarded a vessel overnight, about ten nautical miles north of Ashmore Island.

Initial indications are that the boat is carrying 54 passengers and three crew.

The boat was initially detected by a Customs and Border Protection Dash-8 surveillance aircraft operating under the control of Border Protection Command.

The passengers and crew will be conveyed to Christmas Island.  They will undergo health, identity and security checks and their reasons for travel will be established.

While their nationality is yet to be confirmed, if these asylum seekers are Sri Lankans or Afghans, the processing suspension introduced by the Government on 9 April 2010 will apply.

The 2009/10 Budget funded a $654 million whole-of-government strategy to combat people smuggling and address the problem of unauthorised boat arrivals. In the 2010/11 Budget $1.2 billion was announced to bolster Australia’s border security, including eight new border patrol vessels.

Media Contact: Jayne Stinson 0458 547 512 jayne.stinson@ag.gov.au or Customs and Border Protection Media: 02 6275 6793