Two groups of asylum seekers, totaling over 35 men, have arrived in remote areas of Western Australia by boat over the past day, reigniting debate over border protection policies.
The first group, consisting of around two dozen men believed to be from Pakistan and Bangladesh, was discovered on Friday morning along dirt tracks leading into the community.
A second group of 13 men, comprising 12 Bangladeshis and one Indian, was found later in the day at a campsite in Pender Bay, approximately 51 kilometers north of Beagle Bay. They were also found by locals and spent two hours at a campsite before police arrived.
Authorities are still searching for any other potential arrivals and investigating signs of additional landings.
The Albanese government has faced criticism from the opposition Liberal Party, which claims the government's handling of border security has sent a message to people smugglers that Australia is open for business.
The Prime Minister’s weak leadership on national security is clearly incentivising the people smugglers to reopen their operations, risking a return to the human tragedy we saw with 1,200 deaths at sea during the Rudd and Gillard years. pic.twitter.com/vwuvWvv1Cw
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) February 16, 2024
In response, Albanese has defended his government's stance on Operation Sovereign Borders, emphasizing that Australia's border protection policies remain robust and that those arriving by boat will not be allowed to settle in the country.
The Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, has also weighed in, warning that public comments questioning the effectiveness of Australia's border protection measures could be exploited by people smugglers.
The recent arrivals mark at least the 11th people smuggling venture targeting Australia since the Albanese government's election in May 2022.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of those attempting these journeys, particularly given the challenging weather conditions and remote locations involved.
Local residents have also expressed mixed reactions, with some offering assistance while others worry about the potential impact on their communities.
The full picture of these boat arrivals, including the number of individuals involved, their points of origin, and their intended destinations, remains unclear as authorities continue their investigations.
