Latest news with #NorthAustralianHelicopters
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- News.com.au
Five men reportedly discovered on remote Australian beach
Five men have reportedly been rescued by the Australian Border Force from a remote beach after they were spotted by a commercial helicopter pilot. The possible illegal boat arrivals were picked up by authorities after a pilot observed SOS scrawled in the sand, according to The Australian. Footage posted by North Australian Helicopters on social media on Thursday shows the group on the 'northern coast'. North Australian Helicopters said the men spoke no English and appeared to have been there for 'quite a while'. In a statement, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the government would not 'confirm, or comment on, operational matters'. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true,' he said. 'When someone tries to arrive without a visa they are detained and then deported.' Liberal campaign spokesman James Paterson described the reported incident as 'deeply concerning'. 'Regardless of whether they are people smugglers or illegal fishers, no one should be able to reach the Australian mainland undetected,' Senator Paterson said. 'Once again, we have seen the Albanese government relying on private businesses alerting the government to serious security concerns, like when a Virgin Australia pilot was the first to alert the government to a live fire exercise in the Tasman Sea.' According to the latest update on Operation Sovereign Borders, published two days ago, Australian authorities responded to one maritime people smuggling venture in the month of March.
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Dramatic footage shows a helicopter land near five stranded men believed to have arrived illegally by boat
Stunning footage captured the moment a helicopter pilot discovered a group of suspected asylum seekers stranded on a remote beach in Australia's north. North Australian Helicopters, a privately-owned aviation company, posted footage of the helicopter touching down on the north coast beach to their Facebook page on Thursday. In the video, the group of five men appeared to be standing beside a message written in the sand, believed to have read 'SOS'. It was not clear where the men came from though the author of the video wrote the men could not 'understand a word of English'. The men are understood to have since been collected by the Australian Border Force. Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson said the incident exposed the Albanese Government's failure to protect Australia's borders. 'Media reports of an apparent illegal maritime arrival are deeply concerning. Regardless of whether they are people smugglers or illegal fishers, no one should be able to reach the Australian mainland undetected,' he said in a statement. Senator Paterson likened the incident to the live firing drill of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea in February which the government was first alerted to by a commercial pilot. 'Once again, we have seen the Albanese Government relying on private businesses alerting the government to serious security concerns, like when a Virgin Australia pilot was the first to alert the government to a PLA-N live fire exercise in the Tasman Sea. 'Time and time again, we have seen Labor fail to keep Australia safe. Only a Dutton Coalition government will restore Operation Sovereign Borders and stop the boats.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke remained tight-lipped about the incident. 'We do not confirm, or comment on, operational matters,' he told The Australian. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true.' The Facebook video has been viewed more than 10,000 times since being posted on Thursday. The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force have been contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
Perth Now
26-04-2025
- Perth Now
Boat group located on northern coast
Five men have reportedly been rescued by the Australian Border Force from a remote beach after they were spotted by a commercial helicopter pilot. The possible illegal boat arrivals were picked up by authorities after a pilot observed SOS scrawled in the sand, according to The Australian. Footage posted by North Australian Helicopters on social media on Thursday shows the group on the 'northern coast'. North Australian Helicopters said the men spoke no English and appeared to have been there for 'quite a while'. In a statement, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the government would not 'confirm, or comment on, operational matters'. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true,' he said. 'When someone tries to arrive without a visa they are detained and then deported.' North Australian Helicopters claim the group washed up on a northern Australian beach in April 2025. Supplied. Credit: News Corp Australia Liberal campaign spokesman James Paterson described the reported incident as 'deeply concerning'. 'Regardless of whether they are people smugglers or illegal fishers, no one should be able to reach the Australian mainland undetected,' Senator Paterson said. 'Once again, we have seen the Albanese government relying on private businesses alerting the government to serious security concerns, like when a Virgin Australia pilot was the first to alert the government to a live fire exercise in the Tasman Sea.' According to the latest update on Operation Sovereign Borders, published two days ago, Australian authorities responded to one maritime people smuggling venture in the month of March.
West Australian
26-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Border Force swoops on five men who arrived by boat in Australia's Northern Territory
Five people who arrived by boat in the Northern Territory are expected to be sent to offshore processing after a Top End helicopter operator posted video of them online. Australian Border Force and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have refused to confirm the discovery of the men of where they are now, saying they do not comment on operational matters. A brief video clip posted by North Australian Helicopters very late on Thursday night shows five men on a beach. 'SOS - Boat people that have been washed up on the northern coast for quite a while,' the caption said. 'Couldn't understand a word of English, but maybe they hit Australian shores hoping to vote!!! How many more are there???' The West has been told the pilot who found the men alerted ABF, who collected them about three hours later. An ABF spokesperson said the agency 'does not comment on or confirm operational matters'. Mr Burke also said a statement the government did not confirm or comment on operational matters. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true,' he said. 'When someone arrives without a visa they are detained and then deported.'
Perth Now
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Border Force swoops on five men who arrived by boat
Five people who arrived by boat in the Northern Territory are expected to be sent to offshore processing after a Top End helicopter operator posted video of them online. Australian Border Force and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have refused to confirm the discovery of the men of where they are now, saying they do not comment on operational matters. A brief video clip posted by North Australian Helicopters very late on Thursday night shows five men on a beach. 'SOS - Boat people that have been washed up on the northern coast for quite a while,' the caption said. 'Couldn't understand a word of English, but maybe they hit Australian shores hoping to vote!!! How many more are there???' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The West has been told the pilot who found the men alerted ABF, who collected them about three hours later. An ABF spokesperson said the agency 'does not comment on or confirm operational matters'. Mr Burke also said a statement the government did not confirm or comment on operational matters. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true,' he said. 'When someone arrives without a visa they are detained and then deported.'
