❓ WA Minister accuses the Commonwealth government of failing to adequately protect WA's northern coastline from illegal fishing and potential biosecurity threats, presenting photographic evidence to contradict federal claims.
AnsweredQoN 671Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the minister advise the house whether the commonwealth government has made progress in securing the state’s northern coastline by adopting a full suite of initiatives aimed at protecting Western Australia? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Members will be aware that the Western Australian government has been lobbying hard for some weeks for improved border security. The fact of the matter is that despite that effort, the north west coast is at crisis point and our northern borders are really a free-for-all. The commonwealth has been trying to downplay the risks. At the same time, the commonwealth has been talking to the Indonesian government about the potential for the illegal fishing that has been occurring on a daily basis because the commonwealth is worried that it could lead to people smuggling, trafficking of weapons and narcotics and even terrorism. The commonwealth has at the same time stated to the Australian public that it is not a problem and that boats are not coming here. Mr Speaker, I table this photograph of just one of the many boats that have been caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: I thank the member for the question. Members will be aware that the Western Australian government has been lobbying hard for some weeks for improved border security. The fact of the matter is that despite that effort, the north west coast is at crisis point and our northern borders are really a free-for-all. The commonwealth has been trying to downplay the risks. At the same time, the commonwealth has been talking to the Indonesian government about the potential for the illegal fishing that has been occurring on a daily basis because the commonwealth is worried that it could lead to people smuggling, trafficking of weapons and narcotics and even terrorism. The commonwealth has at the same time stated to the Australian public that it is not a problem and that boats are not coming here. Mr Speaker, I table this photograph of just one of the many boats that have been caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
I thank the member for the question. Members will be aware that the Western Australian government has been lobbying hard for some weeks for improved border security. The fact of the matter is that despite that effort, the north west coast is at crisis point and our northern borders are really a free-for-all. The commonwealth has been trying to downplay the risks. At the same time, the commonwealth has been talking to the Indonesian government about the potential for the illegal fishing that has been occurring on a daily basis because the commonwealth is worried that it could lead to people smuggling, trafficking of weapons and narcotics and even terrorism. The commonwealth has at the same time stated to the Australian public that it is not a problem and that boats are not coming here. Mr Speaker, I table this photograph of just one of the many boats that have been caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
[See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
[See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: I thank the member for the question. Members will be aware that the Western Australian government has been lobbying hard for some weeks for improved border security. The fact of the matter is that despite that effort, the north west coast is at crisis point and our northern borders are really a free-for-all. The commonwealth has been trying to downplay the risks. At the same time, the commonwealth has been talking to the Indonesian government about the potential for the illegal fishing that has been occurring on a daily basis because the commonwealth is worried that it could lead to people smuggling, trafficking of weapons and narcotics and even terrorism. The commonwealth has at the same time stated to the Australian public that it is not a problem and that boats are not coming here. Mr Speaker, I table this photograph of just one of the many boats that have been caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
I thank the member for the question. Members will be aware that the Western Australian government has been lobbying hard for some weeks for improved border security. The fact of the matter is that despite that effort, the north west coast is at crisis point and our northern borders are really a free-for-all. The commonwealth has been trying to downplay the risks. At the same time, the commonwealth has been talking to the Indonesian government about the potential for the illegal fishing that has been occurring on a daily basis because the commonwealth is worried that it could lead to people smuggling, trafficking of weapons and narcotics and even terrorism. The commonwealth has at the same time stated to the Australian public that it is not a problem and that boats are not coming here. Mr Speaker, I table this photograph of just one of the many boats that have been caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
[See paper 1005.] Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : At the same time, the federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald, has been telling the Senate that reports of animals aboard these fishing vessels were nothing but rumours. The second photograph I tender is a photograph of a monkey in a cage that was taken on one of these boats that was caught on the Western Australian coastline. [See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
[See paper 1006.] Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Dr G.I. Gallop : This is important. When I met the Prime Minister on this subject he told me that he had received advice from his authorities that no ships had gone onto the mainland and that no pets had gone onto the mainland. Something is deeply wrong within the commonwealth system at the moment, and I am very pleased that our ministers are taking this up. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : I thank the Premier. This is photographic proof that I am sure our colleagues on the other side of the house will take to their federal members. As well as the monkey, the worrying thing is that there have also been incidences of dogs and cats - Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : The member should not worry - that photo of the monkey looks very much like someone on the other side. Also, there is a very real worry with the avian flu menace. We have also seen incidences of chickens and parrots on these boats. We do not know what those people will do. They could be bringing down not just avian flu, but also any other disease that may threaten Australia’s flora and fauna. Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
Just this weekend, Mr Speaker, north of your electorate, at the village of Kalumburu, a vessel pulled up and the people on board got off. They wandered into the village and asked for directions to the nearest town. When the people there told them that it was a fair way away, they jumped back on their boat and just sailed off. Luckily, the state government boat, the PV Walcott , was on hand to apprehend this illegal fishing boat. The captain was then told by the federal Navy to hang on, to hold those people there and to not do anything because the Navy was on its way. Luckily, the Navy turned up about half an hour later and made good the arrest. The fact of the matter is that prevention is the best cure. I am sure my colleague the Minister for Justice could tell us just how much it costs to jail these people and to look after them in jail. It is best to prevent them coming in the first place. The federal government should not only be doing what Kim Beazley wanted - that is, establish a coastguard - but also it should be spending some money in Indonesia on an education campaign to let these people know that it is illegal to come to Australia, and if they do come here, we will lock them up. Until the government does that, the people of Western Australia have a right to believe that the John Howard government has redrawn the Brisbane line.
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