Fed: Morrison to lead attack on Rudd's border protection policy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Fed: Morrison to lead attack on Rudd's border protection policy

By Karlis Salna

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - Liberal MP Scott Morrison will head up the opposition's attack
on the Rudd government's border protection regime after being promoted to the role of
immigration spokesman.

The portfolio will be a key part of the opposition's election strategy with Opposition
Leader Tony Abbott signalling an intention to ramp up pressure on the government over
a surge in asylum seeker arrivals.

Mr Morrison's elevation to the role comes days after the number of asylum seeker boats
to arrive in Australian waters this year hit 51 after 38 passengers and two crew were
intercepted on Sunday.

"These are quite extraordinary numbers which the government just can't spin away," he told AAP.

"They might be able to spin any number of other things away in the news cycle, but
they can't spin boats away."

Mr Morrison, who was elected to parliament in 2007 following the retirement of Bruce
Baird, a critic of former prime minister John Howard's border protection policies, said
he fully supported the coalition's position on the asylum seeker issue.

"I have been a strong advocate for the interests of asylum seekers. But we have a very
generous program and we should be proud of it - 13,500 accepted," he said.

"What I object to is some suggestion that because we want to protect the integrity
of our systems and ensure the fairness of our processes that somehow that is inconsistent
with a view which seeks to show compassion and support for those in a desperate situation."

Mr Abbott described the Member for Cook, in Sydney's south, as "probably the outstanding
new talent" amongst the coalition's class of 2007.

"He will ensure that the Rudd government is held to account for its recent changes
to Australia's immigration policy that have seen a dramatic surge in people smuggling
activity and unauthorised boat arrivals."

It is a clear signal the opposition will continue to target border protection in the
lead-up to the next election.

"The government is vulnerable on border protection with more than 50 boats and 2,500
unauthorised arrivals this year," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Morrison said the Australian people had made it clear they were unhappy with the
way Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had handled the asylum-seeker issue.

"People want him just to be clear what he thinks about this issue and I think in Tony
you have someone who is being crystal clear," he said.

"With me you'll have someone who is also being crystal clear on this, about how the
coalition has acted in the past and how we would act in the future."

"I think the clearest message we can send to people traffickers is to elect a coalition
government."

But his predecessor, Sharman Stone, said the appointment was the result of a turf war
on immigration policy between the right and left wings of the party.

"I've been done over by the Right," Dr Stone said on Monday after having been told
of her demotion.

"It's about payback. Immigration was so difficult because you were sandwiched between
the left and the right wing of the party."

AAP kms/sb/cdh

KEYWORD: LIBERALS MORRISON WRAP

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