Extra Defence surveillance aircraft and ships have been deployed to Australia's north, to assist with border protection efforts, amid warnings that changes to temporary protection visas could prompt a resumption in people smuggling ventures.
Defence has revealed in recent weeks it’s provided the “surge” support to Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) following a request from its Commander, Rear Admiral Justin Jones.
During a senate estimates hearing on Wednesday evening, Opposition senators quizzed the Vice Chief of Defence about “Opposition Resolute”, the military’s contribution to Australia’s border protection efforts.
“The Defence Force generally surges as is required to support Operation Sovereign Borders,” Vice Admiral David Johnston explained to the committee.
“That is available to the government to employ the ADF in that nature, and we are currently providing surge support,” he confirmed.
Under subsequent questioning from Coalition frontbencher Simon Birmingham, the Vice Chief gave some more limited details about the increased military support to the border protection operations.
“It is of the nature of additional aircraft surveillance and additional ships that are patrolling in our northern waters”.
Vice Admiral Johnston confirmed the surge was requested in the last few weeks, but wouldn't specify why, telling the committee it was a question better put to Home Affairs.
On Monday the OSB Commander published a stern online warning to potential asylum seekers who were contemplating travelling to Australia by boat.
“The Australian government's decision to resolve legacy temporary visa caseloads does not change how Australia protects its borders,” Rear Admiral Jones says in a video translated to several regional languages.
"Let me be clear, anyone who attempts an unauthorised boat voyage to Australia will be turned back to their country of departure, returned to their home country or transferred to a regional processing country.”
The Opposition has warned that Labor’s changes to visa settings could prompt a resumption of people smuggling operations to Australia.
"If the Labor government was so sure that their policy was not going to result in people smugglers reopening their trade, why did they put more Defence support into protecting our northern borders and do it ahead of that policy announcement?" Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said.
"What they're saying on the one hand is not being supported by their actions."
At the last election Labor promised to abolish Temporary Protection Visas but they will remain on the statute books.
