Latest news with #OperationSovereignBorders
AU Financial Review
20 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Illegal boat arrivals increasing as smugglers change tack
Operation Sovereign Borders, Australia's hard-line strategy to stop illegal boat arrivals, is on track for its busiest year since it was launched in 2013, with people smugglers changing how they operate by using smaller boats carrying fewer people. At least 10 boats containing up to 183 people in total were intercepted between the start of the financial year to the end of April, according to data published by the Department of Home Affairs. There may be an 11th, but the reports are not clear about the origins of a small group of people transferred to regional processing on Nauru in February.
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.
