Real Action to Stop People Smugglers
08/08/10
The Coalition is determined to take real action to protect Australia’s borders.
Our plan to stop the boats includes offshore processing and temporary protection visas.
We are determined to send a strong message to people smugglers that their cruel and callous trade in human cargo must stop.
As part of this approach, the Coalition will also introduce tough new penalties to deter people smugglers and ensure they pay a higher price for their crimes.
Existing penalties are clearly not acting as a sufficient deterrent for those tempted to become involved in the people smuggling trade. The boats keep coming.
A Coalition government will therefore introduce new minimum and non-parole periods for a range of people smuggling offences to ensure that those convicted of people smuggling receive a custodial sentence.
Currently, no minimum or non-parole period applies to those convicted of the crimes of people smuggling, supporting people smuggling and concealing and harbouring non-citizens.
The Coalition will amend the Migration Act 1958 to ensure that new minimum and non-parole periods will apply to these crimes.
The Coalition will also increase existing minimum and non-parole periods that apply to a range of related offences, including repeat people smuggling offenders, those convicted of aggravated people smuggling, as well as those convicted of crimes involving the preparation and/or provision of false documents.
These increased penalties will ensure that anyone convicted of a people-smuggling offence will serve a custodial sentence of at least 12 months.
The worst offenders and repeat offenders will face a minimum of 10 years behind bars.
These increased penalties will complement the Coalition’s other border protection measures, and help to stop the boats.
Only the Coalition has a plan for real action to protect Australia’s border and stop people smugglers.
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