FED: Opposition says PM protecting himself from fallout

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-1999
FED: Opposition says PM protecting himself from fallout

The Opposition says Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD is trying to protect himself from political
fallout from the landing of illegal immigrants.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD today ordered an inquiry into Australia's coastal surveillance
as police continue to round up illegal immigrants who landed on a New South Wales beach on
Saturday.

The announcement came as the Navy has picked up another ten people off the Western
Australian coast in another suspected attempt to land illegal immigrants.

Mr HOWARD says the landing of at least 59 illegal immigrants on the NSW north coast has
raised serious issues regarding Australia's coastal surveillance, requiring a prompt response.

Opposition customs spokesman DUNCAN KERR says Mr HOWARD has now reached a point where he's
concerned with protecting his own backside.

Mr KERR says Mr HOWARD is reaping the harvest from the run down in coastal security that
came from the cuts his government made in its first budget.

He says the government had known for a year that a new wave of boat people was coming to
Australia, but had done nothing to prevent the crisis.

AAP RTV ss/lm

KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)

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