Thursday, August 03, 2006

Australian Customs' $10m 'floating jail'

I sort of accidently played this one over at Mike’s Born at the Crest of the Empire. I say accidently because it was a side comment which I hadn’t had time to investigate. So here goes:

Australian Customs has denied allegations that a boat it plans to use in the fight against illegal fishing in Australia's northern waters will act as a "floating jail' for illegal fisherman and asylum seekers. Customs' $10m 'floating jail' fallout

The Australian Customs Service is seeking tenders to lease a civilian vessel for $10 million a year to hold the detainees.

Now there is a lot of backtracking on this story, while the Australian government is determined to fend off asylum seekers Customs are saying the boat is for illegal fishermen.

It’s like so much we see in the political field, they will lie through their teeth right up until the program is put in place.

Up to now asylum seekers have been passed off to tiny Narua, who are paid well for the job but has issues with it all the same. For one thing they object to Australian officials simply flying in and out at will, ignoring the Islands sovereignty.

Slimy John Howard, another great Bush buddy!

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