Ariddia
21-11-2007, 13:31
There has been a dramatic rescue by the Australian Navy of 16 asylum seekers, including toddlers and a baby, who ended up in the sea 650 kilometres west of Darwin in the Timor Sea.
There were 10 children and six adults on the 10-metre boat.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Ararat went to the assistance of the asylum seekers's boat, which was overcrowded and unstable.
"It had limited provisions on board and was taking on water as a result of a slow leak, which was being managed by a portable pump" Dr Nelson said.
[...] All were rescued and there were no injuries reported.
Dr Nelson said that the efforts of the Navy personnel in difficult circumstances were first class.
[...] Their nationality was still being established.
[...] Asylum Seeker Resource Centre coordinator Pamela Curr said the timing of the boat's interception was suspicious.
With polls showing the Howard government heading for defeat at the election on Saturday, Ms Curr questioned whether the government was aiming for a repeat of the 2001 election - when controversy over more than 400 refugees picked up by MV Tampa, a Norwegian container vessel, helped the coalition over the line.
"I have no proof but I think on these matters we have to have a healthy scepticism and suspicion of government intentions," Ms Curr said today.
"The government has used the refugee and asylum-seeker issue since the 2001 election as a tool in their favour.
"As they face oblivion, why would they not reach for it again? It worked before.
[...] Ms Curr said she was concerned that a "magic boat" should suddenly materialise just before the election.
"We have got satellite surveillance, planes zigzagging backwards and forwards ... how did this boat get through?" she said.
"Was it allowed to come through? Did they turn the satellite off?".
(link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/baby-overboard-16-saved/2007/11/21/1195321826361.html))
As soon as I saw the headline, it struck me that this seemed rather like 2001 all over again. Just days away from the election, it could of course be one huge coincidence. But it will be interesting to see whether it affects the election.
Well done, Navy personnel, of course. I just hope these people don't find themselves lingering indefinitely on Nauru.
There were 10 children and six adults on the 10-metre boat.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Ararat went to the assistance of the asylum seekers's boat, which was overcrowded and unstable.
"It had limited provisions on board and was taking on water as a result of a slow leak, which was being managed by a portable pump" Dr Nelson said.
[...] All were rescued and there were no injuries reported.
Dr Nelson said that the efforts of the Navy personnel in difficult circumstances were first class.
[...] Their nationality was still being established.
[...] Asylum Seeker Resource Centre coordinator Pamela Curr said the timing of the boat's interception was suspicious.
With polls showing the Howard government heading for defeat at the election on Saturday, Ms Curr questioned whether the government was aiming for a repeat of the 2001 election - when controversy over more than 400 refugees picked up by MV Tampa, a Norwegian container vessel, helped the coalition over the line.
"I have no proof but I think on these matters we have to have a healthy scepticism and suspicion of government intentions," Ms Curr said today.
"The government has used the refugee and asylum-seeker issue since the 2001 election as a tool in their favour.
"As they face oblivion, why would they not reach for it again? It worked before.
[...] Ms Curr said she was concerned that a "magic boat" should suddenly materialise just before the election.
"We have got satellite surveillance, planes zigzagging backwards and forwards ... how did this boat get through?" she said.
"Was it allowed to come through? Did they turn the satellite off?".
(link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/baby-overboard-16-saved/2007/11/21/1195321826361.html))
As soon as I saw the headline, it struck me that this seemed rather like 2001 all over again. Just days away from the election, it could of course be one huge coincidence. But it will be interesting to see whether it affects the election.
Well done, Navy personnel, of course. I just hope these people don't find themselves lingering indefinitely on Nauru.