Over 40 asylum seekers have been found in remote Western Australia, following a breach in border security.
Over 40 asylum seekers have been found in remote Western Australia, following a breach in border security.
A single boat carrying the seekers hit the shores of northwestern WA, with a large group of 30 and a smaller group of 13 splitting off to seek shelter.
The seekers, believed to come from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, were discovered at Beagle Bay and Pender Bay.
The Australian Border Force confirmed an operation in northern Western Australia following reports of over 20 people arriving by boat.
It is unclear why the men split up and wandered apart after hitting the shore.
Australia’s border protection policies prohibit unauthorised boat travel, and the only way to travel to Australia is legally with an Australian visa.
The ongoing operation has sparked political tensions, with the Opposition attempting to criticize the government.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud claims the government’s failure to anticipate the High Court’s decision to strike down indefinite detention and the sudden release of 149 detainees incentivised the law-breaking.
He believes the damage has already been done and that people only travel to Australia if they have something to sell.
Australia has released 149 detainees despite warnings from the High Court that its borders are porous.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was briefed but did not take pre-emptive measures to keep them in detention.
The detainees were smugglers who found a product and damaged it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has no information about the discovery of the first group of men but stated that Australia has policies in place to deal with boats arriving in such a manner.
Australia has an offshore immigration detention center at Nauru. The country has been advised not to sell the product unless it is convinced people will accept it upon arrival.
