Paul Maley; 1/12/08
Indonesian people smugglers are back in business, with the federal Government conceding there has been a spike in activities – the result, it says, of people smugglers changing tactics to avoid detection. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said yesterday the Government would be increasing its support for Indonesian authorities in an effort to stamp out the surge. But he denied the spike was due to Labor’s softening of refugee policy, a move experts on the ground say has encouraged people-smuggling outfits. The International Organisation for Migration chief-of-mission in Indonesia, Steve Cook, told The Australian the smugglers had tracked the policy changes and there had been a dramatic surge in smuggling in the past 12 months. “People smugglers have clearly noted that there has been a change in policy and they’re testing the envelope,” he said.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24731140-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Indonesia, Migrants & Refugees