Go north, young man
Tony Abbott’s draconian approach has its costs
THE Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, likens his government’s campaign to stop asylum-seekers landing in the country by boat to a military campaign. Four months after he led the conservative Liberal-National coalition to power promising to “stop the boats”, Mr Abbott is claiming victory in “Operation Sovereign Borders”. On January 24th his immigration minister, Scott Morrison, claimed that no boat people had arrived in Australian waters for more than a month, the longest boat-free period for nearly five years. Yet Australia’s relations with Indonesia, its northern neighbour and the main embarkation point for boat people, have suffered. Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia’s foreign minister, calls the Australian approach a “slippery slope” which could “get out of hand”.
In promising to turn back the boats, Mr Abbott has taken the populist path on boat people that John Howard, his mentor and a former coalition prime minister, promoted over a dozen years ago. Tapping voters’ fears about boats swarming from Asia, Mr Howard banished their passengers to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Ensuing Labor governments were critical of the hardline policy. But in July the then Labor government, under Kevin Rudd, turned more draconian itself. It decreed that those in the camps who won refugee claims would be resettled in Papua New Guinea but never in Australia. After 16,000 asylum-seekers on 220 boats arrived in the first seven months of last year, boat numbers dropped sharply. The slowdown, for which Mr Abbott claims credit, began before he won power in September.
In ordering the navy to stop vessels carrying asylum-seekers from entering Australian waters—by pushing them back towards Indonesia instead—Mr Abbott has acted in the face of Indonesian objections. In contrast to previous governments, he has also shrouded the operation in secrecy. War against people-smugglers, Mr Abbott says, should not involve giving out “information…of use to the enemy”.
Press reports in Australia and Indonesia suggest the navy has pushed up to six boats back. Asylum-seekers on one boat in early January told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that they were badly burned when Australian sailors forced them to touch parts of their boat’s engine. Mr Abbott endorsed the navy’s denials of having done anything wrong and accused ABC of lacking patriotism.
It has since emerged that in at least one operation, navy vessels entered Indonesian waters without authority. Indonesia is livid. It has deployed its own warships and military radar to monitor Australia’s movements. Mr Natalegawa says Indonesia is “keen to ensure our sovereign border is properly protected”. Australia has since apologised to Indonesia. But Mr Abbott’s explanation of how a modern navy could inadvertently have entered Indonesian waters raises more questions. On January 28th he suggested the ships’ commanders could have been distracted by winds, tides and “all sorts of things” at sea. His tone echoed the evasive response to revelations in November about Australia’s phone-tapping of Indonesian leaders.
Mr Abbott had promised that Indonesia would be at the heart of his foreign policy. Yet the boats controversy is as damaging as the phone-tapping scandal. Legal experts also say that Australia might have breached its obligations under the United Nations refugee convention by pushing asylum-seekers to another country. (Australia holds more than 4,000 boat people in camps on Christmas Island, an Australian territory, and in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.)
Criticisms are mounting at home. John Ingram, a retired navy captain, calls the boats policy “morally corrupt and indefensible”. He worries that sailors are being used “for political purposes”. John Menadue, a former immigration head, calls the operation “provocative, insensitive, crass”, a blot on a hitherto good Australian record on refugees. “With cruelty over boats behind us,” Mr Menadue says, the government should make amends by sharply lifting Australia’s refugee intake through conventional UN channels, from 20,000 last year. The prospect that the Abbott government will take his advice is slight.
Tony Abbott’s draconian approach has its costs
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| Towed by Australian Customs Patrol boat |
In promising to turn back the boats, Mr Abbott has taken the populist path on boat people that John Howard, his mentor and a former coalition prime minister, promoted over a dozen years ago. Tapping voters’ fears about boats swarming from Asia, Mr Howard banished their passengers to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Ensuing Labor governments were critical of the hardline policy. But in July the then Labor government, under Kevin Rudd, turned more draconian itself. It decreed that those in the camps who won refugee claims would be resettled in Papua New Guinea but never in Australia. After 16,000 asylum-seekers on 220 boats arrived in the first seven months of last year, boat numbers dropped sharply. The slowdown, for which Mr Abbott claims credit, began before he won power in September.
In ordering the navy to stop vessels carrying asylum-seekers from entering Australian waters—by pushing them back towards Indonesia instead—Mr Abbott has acted in the face of Indonesian objections. In contrast to previous governments, he has also shrouded the operation in secrecy. War against people-smugglers, Mr Abbott says, should not involve giving out “information…of use to the enemy”.
Press reports in Australia and Indonesia suggest the navy has pushed up to six boats back. Asylum-seekers on one boat in early January told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that they were badly burned when Australian sailors forced them to touch parts of their boat’s engine. Mr Abbott endorsed the navy’s denials of having done anything wrong and accused ABC of lacking patriotism.
It has since emerged that in at least one operation, navy vessels entered Indonesian waters without authority. Indonesia is livid. It has deployed its own warships and military radar to monitor Australia’s movements. Mr Natalegawa says Indonesia is “keen to ensure our sovereign border is properly protected”. Australia has since apologised to Indonesia. But Mr Abbott’s explanation of how a modern navy could inadvertently have entered Indonesian waters raises more questions. On January 28th he suggested the ships’ commanders could have been distracted by winds, tides and “all sorts of things” at sea. His tone echoed the evasive response to revelations in November about Australia’s phone-tapping of Indonesian leaders.
Mr Abbott had promised that Indonesia would be at the heart of his foreign policy. Yet the boats controversy is as damaging as the phone-tapping scandal. Legal experts also say that Australia might have breached its obligations under the United Nations refugee convention by pushing asylum-seekers to another country. (Australia holds more than 4,000 boat people in camps on Christmas Island, an Australian territory, and in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.)
Criticisms are mounting at home. John Ingram, a retired navy captain, calls the boats policy “morally corrupt and indefensible”. He worries that sailors are being used “for political purposes”. John Menadue, a former immigration head, calls the operation “provocative, insensitive, crass”, a blot on a hitherto good Australian record on refugees. “With cruelty over boats behind us,” Mr Menadue says, the government should make amends by sharply lifting Australia’s refugee intake through conventional UN channels, from 20,000 last year. The prospect that the Abbott government will take his advice is slight.
IMMIGRATION
Minister Scott Morrison has refused to confirm whether he has read a
series of documents he is seeking to block from release, during a fiery
Senate hearing probing the high level of secrecy around his Operation
Sovereign Borders taskforce.
Mr Morrison yesterday fronted a parliamentary hearing to defend the Abbott government's krackdown on information released about his military-led campaign to stop the boats, including whether any asylum-seeker vessels had been turned back.
He has claimed public-interest immunity over a series of documents about the border-protection operation, saying their release could put navy and Customs personnel at risk, harm foreign relations and compromise national security.
The senior Coalition frontbencher stressed it remained the consistent policy of the Coalition to turn asylum boats around where it was safe to do so, but refused to provide details of any situations where that policy had been put into practice. "The way information is used is a tool in any operation," Mr Morrison said.
He said a decision had been made that the release of specific information detailing "on-water" operations would "prejudice current and future operations, put people at risk" and "impede our ability to stop the boats".
Mr Morrison's evidence came as the three-star general running the taskforce, Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell, also mounted a vigorous defence of the decision to withhold operational details from the public. "It is my judgment that without the arrangements we have in place we would not be where we are today," General Campbell said.
He said the release of the information sought by Labor and the Greens could have potential ramifications for Australia's relations with other nations.
"Some of our partner governments would prefer matters would be handled discretely," he said.
But Mr Morrison came under sustained questioning from Labor senators Kim Carr and Joe Ludwig over whether he had read the series of operational documents he is refusing to hand over to the Senate.
In a heated exchange, Senator Carr demanded to know whether Mr Morrison had read the documents, before alleging he had failed to do so.
"That's exactly what I am accusing you of, not reading the documents," Senator Carr said.
Mr Morrison repeatedly told the hearing that he was "aware of the documents" but refused to explicitly confirm he had read them.
The Immigration Minister said the work of his Operation Sovereign Borders taskforce "should not be a reality television show" and he criticised the approach of the former government, which released alerts when asylum-seeker boats were intercepted.
General Campbell claimed that if the government were to provide the public with a clearer picture of the operations of his taskforce, it would provide "a very substantial opportunity" for people smugglers to tutor their clients in how to respond to interceptions.
Mr Morrison yesterday fronted a parliamentary hearing to defend the Abbott government's krackdown on information released about his military-led campaign to stop the boats, including whether any asylum-seeker vessels had been turned back.
He has claimed public-interest immunity over a series of documents about the border-protection operation, saying their release could put navy and Customs personnel at risk, harm foreign relations and compromise national security.
The senior Coalition frontbencher stressed it remained the consistent policy of the Coalition to turn asylum boats around where it was safe to do so, but refused to provide details of any situations where that policy had been put into practice. "The way information is used is a tool in any operation," Mr Morrison said.
He said a decision had been made that the release of specific information detailing "on-water" operations would "prejudice current and future operations, put people at risk" and "impede our ability to stop the boats".
Mr Morrison's evidence came as the three-star general running the taskforce, Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell, also mounted a vigorous defence of the decision to withhold operational details from the public. "It is my judgment that without the arrangements we have in place we would not be where we are today," General Campbell said.
He said the release of the information sought by Labor and the Greens could have potential ramifications for Australia's relations with other nations.
"Some of our partner governments would prefer matters would be handled discretely," he said.
But Mr Morrison came under sustained questioning from Labor senators Kim Carr and Joe Ludwig over whether he had read the series of operational documents he is refusing to hand over to the Senate.
In a heated exchange, Senator Carr demanded to know whether Mr Morrison had read the documents, before alleging he had failed to do so.
"That's exactly what I am accusing you of, not reading the documents," Senator Carr said.
Mr Morrison repeatedly told the hearing that he was "aware of the documents" but refused to explicitly confirm he had read them.
The Immigration Minister said the work of his Operation Sovereign Borders taskforce "should not be a reality television show" and he criticised the approach of the former government, which released alerts when asylum-seeker boats were intercepted.
General Campbell claimed that if the government were to provide the public with a clearer picture of the operations of his taskforce, it would provide "a very substantial opportunity" for people smugglers to tutor their clients in how to respond to interceptions.
● The Australian
Somali asylum seeker claims he was sprayed in eyes by Australian Navy; Government says claims of abuse 'baseless'
 |
| Scars on Mr Nooris hands |
New
details have emerged about a boat interception operation earlier this
month, with one asylum seeker saying Navy personnel sprayed him in the
eyes.
A Somali asylum seeker has told the ABC that there were angry protests when people found out the boat was being turned around and they were being returned to Indonesia.
He alleges that during the onboard argument he suffered burns when he came into contact with a hot engine after an Australian sailor sprayed him with a substance that caused his eyes to burn.
The fresh allegations come as Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirms the Government is determined to turn back asylum seeker boats where it is safe to do so.
"What I've confirmed today is what we've been confirming all along, which is the policy of this Government," he said.
"That is that any vessel that seeks to illegally enter Australian waters will be intercepted and removed from our waters."
He says turning back boats is one of a series of measures that have seen no boats arrive in January for the first time in six years.
"I know for a fact that the way information is being handled in this operation is contributing to its success," he told AM this morning.
Mr Morrison is currently facing a grilling from Labor and Greens senators at a Senate inquiry into the Federal Government's refusal to release key documents about border protection.
The committee requested to speak to government representatives along with officials from Defence, Immigration and Customs.
Morrison rejects latest claims of abuse by Navy personnel
Mr Morrison says it is normal for Navy personnel to carry personal defensive equipment.
The Government has emphatically rejected any claim of mistreatment.
"Any suggestion of mistreatment or misuse of force of any of these devices that are available to them is completely unsubstantiated, completely without basis and is rejected by the Government," Mr Morrison said.
Until now access to the asylum seekers and more detail of their allegations has been hard to come by.
But four men managed to escape the watch of Indonesian authorities and leave their hotel to give the ABC a more detailed account.
Twenty-year-old Somali asylum seeker Boby Nooris was on a boat which was intercepted by the Australian Navy in the first week of January.
He says that when Australian Navy personnel came on board two of the boat's three engines were broken and a third was damaged.
However, Mr Nooris has told the ABC the asylum seekers did not break the engines.
"There was two arguments happening at the time. The first argument was happening down in the engine room; I was up and down to get a bag that has my stuff.
"When I got down I was sprayed in my eyes."
Other asylum seekers have alleged that they were forced to hold onto hot pipes but the 20-year-old says he suffered burns on his hands because he was blinded after sailors responded with force, using some sort of spray.
"There was an argument do you understand. When they spray me in the eyes I couldn't see anything.
"While I was looking for a way out I stumble on the engine and my hand got burnt."
Mr Nooris says he then threw himself into the sea.
"I felt pain like chillies went into my eyes. I could not see anything, it was dark, and I threw myself into the sea."
He says he was pulled back on board, his hands were bandaged, but he was refused painkillers.
He and the other three asylum seekers say they are prepared to cooperate with any Australian investigation.
Use of personal defensive equipment is standard: Morrison
While not confirming the use of spray, Mr Morrison said in a statement that personal defensive equipment is standard issue in maritime operations.
"Such equipment is also commonly issued in domestic law enforcement across Australia," he said.
"Border Protection Command personnel are trained in the use of these devices consistent with the strict guidelines governing their use.
"If required, medical assistance is also provided to any persons who have been subjected to the use of this equipment.
"The equipment is used, for example, to bring people under control when they are engaged in non-compliant, threatening behaviour to other passengers or crew.
He also says any claim that such devices were used in a manner outside standard procedure is baseless.
"Any suggestion that the appropriate use of such devices would in any way legitimise baseless and offensive allegations of torture, recently made against our Navy and Customs and Border Protection personnel by people who have admitted to seeking to illegally enter Australia, are also rejected outright."
Before the onboard altercation the 20-year-old secretly recorded some of the Australian sailors on his phone.
The ABC has viewed this footage and at least one sailor can be seen carrying a camera.
Mr Nooris and the other asylum seekers believe the Navy will have evidence.
The claims that Australian Navy personnel acted inappropriately first appeared in the Indonesian media on January 7.
A Somali asylum seeker has told the ABC that there were angry protests when people found out the boat was being turned around and they were being returned to Indonesia.
He alleges that during the onboard argument he suffered burns when he came into contact with a hot engine after an Australian sailor sprayed him with a substance that caused his eyes to burn.
The fresh allegations come as Immigration Minister Scott Morrison confirms the Government is determined to turn back asylum seeker boats where it is safe to do so.
"What I've confirmed today is what we've been confirming all along, which is the policy of this Government," he said.
"That is that any vessel that seeks to illegally enter Australian waters will be intercepted and removed from our waters."
He says turning back boats is one of a series of measures that have seen no boats arrive in January for the first time in six years.
"I know for a fact that the way information is being handled in this operation is contributing to its success," he told AM this morning.
Mr Morrison is currently facing a grilling from Labor and Greens senators at a Senate inquiry into the Federal Government's refusal to release key documents about border protection.
The committee requested to speak to government representatives along with officials from Defence, Immigration and Customs.
Morrison rejects latest claims of abuse by Navy personnel
Mr Morrison says it is normal for Navy personnel to carry personal defensive equipment.
The Government has emphatically rejected any claim of mistreatment.
"Any suggestion of mistreatment or misuse of force of any of these devices that are available to them is completely unsubstantiated, completely without basis and is rejected by the Government," Mr Morrison said.
Until now access to the asylum seekers and more detail of their allegations has been hard to come by.
But four men managed to escape the watch of Indonesian authorities and leave their hotel to give the ABC a more detailed account.
Twenty-year-old Somali asylum seeker Boby Nooris was on a boat which was intercepted by the Australian Navy in the first week of January.
He says that when Australian Navy personnel came on board two of the boat's three engines were broken and a third was damaged.
However, Mr Nooris has told the ABC the asylum seekers did not break the engines.
"There was two arguments happening at the time. The first argument was happening down in the engine room; I was up and down to get a bag that has my stuff.
"When I got down I was sprayed in my eyes."
Other asylum seekers have alleged that they were forced to hold onto hot pipes but the 20-year-old says he suffered burns on his hands because he was blinded after sailors responded with force, using some sort of spray.
"There was an argument do you understand. When they spray me in the eyes I couldn't see anything.
"While I was looking for a way out I stumble on the engine and my hand got burnt."
Mr Nooris says he then threw himself into the sea.
"I felt pain like chillies went into my eyes. I could not see anything, it was dark, and I threw myself into the sea."
He says he was pulled back on board, his hands were bandaged, but he was refused painkillers.
He and the other three asylum seekers say they are prepared to cooperate with any Australian investigation.
Use of personal defensive equipment is standard: Morrison
While not confirming the use of spray, Mr Morrison said in a statement that personal defensive equipment is standard issue in maritime operations.
"Such equipment is also commonly issued in domestic law enforcement across Australia," he said.
"Border Protection Command personnel are trained in the use of these devices consistent with the strict guidelines governing their use.
"If required, medical assistance is also provided to any persons who have been subjected to the use of this equipment.
"The equipment is used, for example, to bring people under control when they are engaged in non-compliant, threatening behaviour to other passengers or crew.
He also says any claim that such devices were used in a manner outside standard procedure is baseless.
"Any suggestion that the appropriate use of such devices would in any way legitimise baseless and offensive allegations of torture, recently made against our Navy and Customs and Border Protection personnel by people who have admitted to seeking to illegally enter Australia, are also rejected outright."
Before the onboard altercation the 20-year-old secretly recorded some of the Australian sailors on his phone.
The ABC has viewed this footage and at least one sailor can be seen carrying a camera.
Mr Nooris and the other asylum seekers believe the Navy will have evidence.
The claims that Australian Navy personnel acted inappropriately first appeared in the Indonesian media on January 7.
● ABC
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