Opposition says port security stretched

Security at the nation's ports is being jeopardised as border protection assets are
deployed to counter unauthorised boat arrivals, the opposition has warned.
The warning comes as the Navy on Wednesday intercepted a vessel carrying 98
suspected asylum seekers off the northwest coast of Australia.
The vessel was initially detected about 2am (AEST) as it approached Australian
waters before being intercepted northwest of Christmas Island at about 5am.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said the origin of the passengers had not yet
been confirmed.
The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security,
identity and health checks while their reasons for travel are established.
More than 1,400 people have arrived on 26 unauthorised vessels so far this year,
with the latest boatload taking the number of illegal boat arrivals in the past two
weeks to seven.
Fifty-four boat people had to be rescued from a stricken vessel north of the Cocos
Islands on Sunday.
Opposition customs spokeswoman Sussan Ley said the increase in illegal boat arrivals
had left security at Australia's sea and airports exposed as border protection
assets were deployed to the north in increasing numbers.
"Organised crime is becoming more and more entrenched in our ports and our airports
and customs assets are being deployed in greater numbers for border protection in
the north," Ms Ley said.
"It's stretching our customs and border protection resources to the limit."
The opposition said the latest arrival strengthened the case for an inquiry into
border protection.
Acting opposition leader Julie Bishop said the government's border protection policy
was in tatters.
"It is time for the government to admit that it got it wrong on border protection
and hold a review into the changes it made to the border protection laws last
August, which have led to this surge in boat arrivals."
But Mr O'Connor rejects opposition claims that the increase in the number of
displaced persons heading to Australia was the result of a sympathetic Rudd
government.
"Without doubt the primary reason people seek haven is because of the push factors,"
he said.
"It's because of the conflicts that occur in their own countries, it's because of
war, civil conflict, famine. That's the primary reason why people sought to come
here in the '70s under the Fraser government ... and it's why we're seeing an
increase now."
The latest arrival takes the number of detainees being housed on Christmas Island to
677.
Ms Ley said the government needed to explain what it was going to do with future
asylum seekers if the Christmas Island facility's capacity of 1,200 was reached.
"This is the season which tends to be the time of year when those arrivals increase
so we can expect more," Ms Ley said.
"It will be overflowing in a matter of weeks if not months and there has been no
explanation from the minister for home affairs about what actually does happen then
with the unauthorised arrivals."
Mr O'Connor said the Christmas Island detention centre satisfied the nation's needs.