A group of asylum seekers have reportedly been returned to Indonesia in a lifeboat in the latest turn back case. 
 
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison this morning refused to confirm reports that one of Australia’s donated large orange lifeboats was discovered on Monday on the south coast of central Java.

Local media reported that about 26 asylum seekers were on board when it arrived about midday.

The lifeboats were bought by the Australian government as part of its Operation Sovereign Borders policy, but it has refused to confirm their use in sending asylum seekers back to Indonesia.

There have been, however, reports and claims from Indonesia that a number boats have been turned back in recent months.

A spokeswoman for Mr Morrison said: “In accordance with the Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Task Force policy regarding public release of information on operational matters, the government has no further response on the issues raised.”

The case comes after a spate of turnbacks in recent months as the government ramped up the pressure on people smugglers and has not had a successful operation reach Australia since December 19.

During a government partyroom meeting in Canberra today, Prime Minister Tony Abbott congratulated Mr Morrison on his efforts to curtail the flow of boat arrivals since the election.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop took aim at Labor and the Greens during the meeting, slamming their hypocrisy for fuelling controversy over the death at Manus Island after what she was treating more than 1200 drownings on their watch as a footnote in history.

Also in the meeting the Prime Minister tried to lay the platform for his first Budget, saying the government was in a tougher spot than the Howard regime when it took office in 1996.

Mr Abbott told MPs the public knew a tough budget was needed but needed reassurance and the issues explained because they were “anxious”.

He said the government had already battled tough issues such as stopping the boats and taking the courageous decision to not give corporate welfare to iconic business who were treating the government as the “ATM of last resort”.

Mr Abbott also claimed shopping precincts in regional centres had become “ghost towns” on Sundays after two regional Coalition MPs claimed penalty rates had hurt youth employment.

But the PM said the government must stick to its election commitments.

Former Labor immigration minister Tony Burke attacked the government’s secrecy about asylum seekers.

“We get our information it seems from the Indonesian media on all of this,” he said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/another-group-of-asylum-seekers-reportedly...

That is an exceptionaly good result.

Imagine all the lives the Libs have saved, the countless millions of dollars they have saved us.

Bravo.

John S wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 2:03pm:


The Muslims on Anus Island just got beaten up by the locals because they were abusing them as black apes and monkeys instead of human beans.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 2:08pm:


As long as they don't arrive here, call em what you want.

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 2:08pm:


Not only that...every turn back is an ultimate outcome of unlawful/illegal activity on the part of our Navy/Customs mob.

aquascoot wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 2:13pm:


Fantastic idea. Like this:

aquascoot wrote on Feb 25^th, 2014 at 2:13pm:



Indeed, truly a miracle. Someone should be canonised. Morrison can be cannonised.

Indeed Herb. The typical PNGer: