Stopping the boats ‘compassionate’: Abbott

12 July 2014 05:42 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described stopping the boats as the "most compassionate" thing his government could have done.

MR Abbott was trumpeting the success of Operation Sovereign Borders at the Liberal National Party state conference in Brisbane on Saturday when he made the comment, adding that secure borders were a sign of a sovereign nation.

Stopping the boats meant an end to budget blowouts, saving billions in unnecessary future spending and ending deaths, the prime minister said.

"That's why the most decent and most compassionate thing this government has done is to ensure that for more than six months now there has been no successful people-smuggling venture to our country," Mr Abbott told the conference.

"I am not declaring victory but, my friends, we are stopping those boats."

Dozens of people gathered outside the conference to protest against Operation Sovereign Borders started yelling, "Shame, Bishop, shame" when they heard Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had arrived.

But Ms Bishop said they should be supporting the government's humanitarian efforts.

"There is nothing humanitarian about encouraging criminal people to pay criminal syndicates to get on unseaworthy boats and take a dangerous journey to Australia," Ms Bishop said.

"They should have been protesting when 1200 people died at sea under the previous government's policies.

"That was a disaster and we don't intend to have that happen under our watch." (The Australian)

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Comments - 13

mack Saturday, 12 July 2014 11:29 AM

have a flexible people friendly visa process system then you could stop the illegal boats and other illegal methods of entering Australia via DM Android App

garry gall Saturday, 12 July 2014 07:27 AM

" Excellent job coalition on stopping the boats."

Hans Hagen Saturday, 12 July 2014 08:40 AM

Abbott and his government haven't stopped the boats. They have turned them around by using our Navy. It is a cowardly way and has nothing to do with achieving anything. Using the word 'compassion' in the same sentence with Australia's current government is an oxymoron. Real Australians with a humanitarian heart will want to distance themselves from this idiotic mob calling themselves Australia's government.
I sincerely hope that Abbott and Morrison will finish up in The Hague for crimes against humanity!

Suny J fm Melbourne Saturday, 12 July 2014 08:41 AM

The best person to stop the criminals reaching Australian shores..increase skill migrants quota....

Dalu Banda Saturday, 12 July 2014 08:47 AM

They provide legal passage to any qualified Sri Lanken to migrate in a proper way. In the lane where I am living all the qualified young generation have migrated to Australia and living happily. Thanks to Australian Government.

jayasekara Saturday, 12 July 2014 09:30 AM

Stop at the source don't support corrupt regimes

flatwhite Saturday, 12 July 2014 10:19 AM

Well done Mr Abbott another defeat for the tamil diaspora and the so called tamil organisations in Australia are now dying and shutting one after the other in Australia.

RRohan Saturday, 12 July 2014 04:15 PM

Your country is big and wealthy... Population similar to Sri Lanka... So u need more people to ur country. .. Relax visa system.. If 30 years couple come to ur country 600 Months before they may dye... after making 1 or 2 children. Its not big issue for your country. .Any way dont encourage boat people. .. via DM Android App

jacoob Saturday, 12 July 2014 11:01 AM

well said PM, how many more ?

Minister Saturday, 12 July 2014 11:38 AM

Sending "our" Morrison here also part of that compassion?

dharmapalad Monday, 14 July 2014 02:35 AM

prime minister please lision the opposition leaders, know better than you, this is the last chance as a prime minister,

Aussie Monday, 14 July 2014 09:57 AM

People who think Australia is so big do not realize that the bulk of the land is desert and uninhabited. via DM Android App

Aussie Monday, 14 July 2014 10:00 AM

Australia doesnt welcome economic refugees. Ive lived in SL for years and have always been safe. Others need to keep their noses clean and then they wont fear GOSH via DM Android App

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Stopping the boats ‘compassionate’: Abbott

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