Border Force intercepts boat off far north Qld
A boatload of Chinese nationals has reportedly been intercepted off far North Queensland is a case of suspected people smuggling
Multiple media outlets report that the vessel was spotted near Weipa on the Cape York Peninsula.
There were reportedly upwards of 12 people on board, and they were understood to be Chinese nationals.
The operation involved Australia Border Force with the help of Queensland Police.
State Member for Cook David Kempton on Tuesday night more action to protect Australia’s “porous” ocean borders.
“All over the news tonight a boatload of a dozen illegal Chinese immigrants intercepted at Weipa in my electorate,” he posted on Facebook.
“I have for months been advocating the federal government take seriously our porous northern borders after dozens of illegal Indonesian fishing vessels we captured in Torres Strait.
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“That such a large vessel was able to venture so far into Australian waters before being detected proves there is much to be done.”
There have been a number of boat interceptions in recent years off Australia’s far north including Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Operation Border Force statistics show that last year, four boats managed to reach the Australian mainland between February and October.
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