HMAS Bundaberg intercepts a vessel south of West Islet, Ashmore Islands
12 February 2010
Border Protection Command today successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel.
HMAS Bundaberg, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel at approximately 5:30pm (AEDST) 25 nautical miles south of West Islet, Ashmore Islands.
The vessel was identified by a RAAF -3 under the control of Border Protection Command.
Initial indications suggest there are 48 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.
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.
