Immigration Department confirmed on Tuesday that Australian Navy has intercepted a boat carrying 116 suspected asylum seekers and two crew of WA Coast.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority requested interception of the boat on Christmas Eve. The boat was intercepted north of Christmas Island, Federal Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare Said .
“Following a request by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, HMAS Maryborough provided assistance to the vessel,” Xinhua newsagency quoted.
Opposition border protection spokesman Michael Keenan said the boat’s arrival is a reminder that Labor government has spent all of 2011 evading responsibility for the border protection crisis.
Michael said that even now the government refuses to admit that they created the surge in illegal boat arrivals, Bernama reports.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , December 27, 2011