Abbott demonstrates his commitment to democracy and open government by implementing a news blackout on boat arrivals.
Labor attacks Government's move to end announcements of asylum seeker boat arrivals
Labor's immigration spokesman Tony Burke has attacked the Federal Government's changes to announcements about asylum seeker boat arrivals, warning of the creation of a "culture of secrecy".
The previous government issued media alerts every time a boat arrived, but no new alerts have been issued since the new Government was sworn in.
The ABC asked both Customs and the Immigration Department whether any boats have arrived in recent days, but the questions were referred back to the Minister's office.
A spokesman for the Immigration Minister Scott Morrison would not say if any boats had arrived, and said further details about the Government's Operation Sovereign Borders policy would be provided next week.
Labor's spokesman, former immigration minister Tony Burke, says the disclosure of information should automatic.
"The policy, I thought, was that they would stop the boats not hide the information," he told Lateline.
"I have had journalists from all publications ringing me today saying, 'How do we find out?'
"They've been ringing the department and asking if boats have come and they've told them to go to Scott Morrison's office but Scott Morrison's office aren't answering questions.
"My concern goes to whether or not they're wanting to re-create a culture of secrecy.
"It should simply be a matter of course that whether the news is good for the government or bad for the government, the Australian people are told."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-21/labor-attacks-changes-to-announcements-of-asylum-seeker-arrivals/4972760
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