Brendan O'Connor Minister for Home Affairs media release

Border Protection Command intercepts vessel - Friday 20 November

Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.

ACV Roebuck Bay, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel at
approximately 10:40am (AEDST) south west of Ashmore Islands.

Initial indications suggest there are 53 passengers and 2 crew on board the vessel.

Australia is proactively working with our neighbours, through bilateral cooperation and the Bali Process
on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, to address this most
serious issue.

People smuggling is a global and regional problem. According to the UNHCR 2008 Global Trends
report, there were 42 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2008, including 15.2
million refugees.

The Australian Government has committed more than $654 million to implementing a comprehensive
people smuggling strategy to combat this issue. The Government has expanded its presence in the region
with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Department
of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
recently setting up or expanding liaison posts devoted to deterring irregular migration.

Agencies are working closely with their counterparts in country exchanging and gathering information,
and strengthening our regional capacity to mitigate irregular migration to Australia. Our strengthened
offshore approach is working. Since September 2009 there have been 89 disruptions of people smuggling
ventures in Indonesia, and the arrest of 28 people smuggling organisers.

The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health
checks as well as establish their reasons for travel.

Media Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567 or Customs and Border Protection media (02) 6275 6793