DIMA Annual Report 1998-99
Sub-program 2.3: Unauthorised Arrivals
Performance outcomes
(i) Reception and processing
In 1998-99, 42 unauthorised boat arrivals carried 926 people to Australia, compared with 13 boats carrying 157 people in 1997-98, a 223 per cent increase.
Since 1989, 123 boats have arrived in Australia. Of these, the main source country remains the People's Republic of China (PRC) with a total of 44 boats.
Active people smuggling recruitment in Fujian province resulted in a renewed interest in Australia as a destination for Chinese illegal immigrants. Nine boats carried 471 PRC nationals to Australia unlawfully in the last seven months of 1998-99.
Of the other 42 boats that arrived in 1998-99, four arrived from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and 29 from Indonesian ports. The Indonesian boats carried 441 third country nationals from the Middle East, North Africa and Southern Asia. The four from PNG carried 10 third country nationals from the PRC, Singapore, Kazakhistan and India.
During the year unauthorised boat arrivals occurred at:
- Northern Territory – 124 people on four boats;
- Ashmore Reef – 263 people on 13 boats;
- Torres Strait – 15 people on four boats;
- Christmas Island – 41 people on three boats;
- Western Australia – 107 people on 10 boats;
- Queensland – 106 people on three boats; and
- New South Wales – 205 people on three boats.
During 1998-99 boats carrying unlawful non-citizens arrived in New South Wales for the first time. A new route taken to the north of PNG enabled boats to travel further east than previously, thereby avoiding Australian and Indonesian surveillance.
All people on unauthorised boat arrivals are taken into immigration detention for entry processing – in 1998-99 the time taken for entry processing was less than three days for each boat.
As a result of the large number of unauthorised boat arrivals in 1998-99, a task force was assembled by the Prime Minister to address people smuggling issues. The Government announced a number of initiatives to curb illegal immigration, including:
- consultation and enhanced cooperation with neighbouring countries;
- placing an additional seven immigration compliance officers in key overseas missions including Shanghai, Guangzhou, New Delhi, Colombo, Nairobi, Pretoria and Ankara;
- placing an additional five airline liaison officers at key international airports including Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Denpasar, Singapore and Dubai;
- funding to support strategies in Indonesia and PNG to detect, detain and remove people attempting to enter Australia illegally;
- increased Coastwatch services; and
- seconding a senior departmental liaison officer to Coastwatch.
In 1998-99, 2106 people arrived at Australia's international airports without authorisation and were subsequently refused entry. This is an increase of 36 per cent from 1997-98 and an indication of growing interest in using our international airports as a means of illicit entry to Australia.
DIMA has addressed this situation by providing resources for seven additional airport staff to implement screening procedures similar to those used in unauthorised boat arrivals.
These procedures are designed to ensure that people who arrive without authority are not removed if they, prima facie, may engage Australia's protection obligations, and allow for the speedy removal of those with no right to be in Australia.
In 1998-99, 61 stowaway arrivals were reported compared with 44 the previous year.
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Performance outcomes
(ii) Timely removal
Unauthorised arrivals who make no claims which, prima facie, may engage Australia's protection obligations were kept in immigration detention pending removal to their countries of origin, as required under the Migration Act 1958.
Of the 926 people who arrived without authorisation on boats, 336 of those who did not engage Australia's protection obligations were removed. About 70 per cent, 234 persons, were removed within 28 days.
Of the 2106 people who arrived without authorisation by air, 1457 were removed within 72 hours, and 649 engaged Australia's protection.
As at 30 June 1999, 549 people who arrived by boat without authorisation during 1998-99 were in immigration detention, compared with 14 at 30 June 1998.
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Performance outcomes
(iii) Prosecutions
In 1998-99, 52 Indonesian masters and/or crew were prosecuted for bringing (or attempting to bring) unlawful non-citizens to Australia. Sentences ranged from fines and good behaviour bonds to 47 months imprisonment.
During the year 297 Indonesian fisherman were apprehended by Australian fisheries authorities and detained under the Migration Act 1958. The Department removed 308 (which included some from the previous financial year),
27 remain in detention, and 68 were allowed to depart Australia using their own fishing vessels.
Indonesian fishermen are investigated by the Australian fisheries authorities and, where appropriate, prosecuted for breaches of the fisheries legislation.
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Performance outcomes
(iv) Negotiations
Australia and the PRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 1995 concerning the return of Sino-Vietnamese refugees, people previously re-settled in the PRC, who arrived in Australia by unauthorised boat, and were then returned to the PRC after their identities were verified. The number has fallen from 845 in 1994-95, to zero in the past three years.
Continued cooperation with officials of the PRC and Indonesia about boats prevented departures for Australia.
Information collected about unauthorised boats is passed to relevant authorities in the countries of origin to assist the possible prosecution of organisers.
The Department is active in international forums examining the problems of people trafficking and irregular people movements, to promote regional cooperation and solutions on these issues.
The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs led a delegation to Bangkok in April 1999 to discuss regional cooperation and international measures to combat unauthorised arrivals.
In April 1999, the Secretary of the Department led a delegation to China for discussions on unauthorised boat arrivals. The delegation highlighted Australian concerns over illegal people movements, and sought to extend existing Chinese government cooperation. Discussions centred on measures that have been taken, or can be taken, to stem the flow of unauthorised arrivals.