Senator EGGLESTON —I have a question for Senator Vanstone, the Minister for Justice and Customs. What action is the government taking to combat the growing global problem of illegal immigration?

Senator VANSTONE (Justice and Customs) —I thank the senator for his question. Coming from Western Australia he no doubt has a very close interest in this matter. People smuggling is a growing problem worldwide. Countries such as Australia, the United States and Canada have all seen very substantial increases in the number of people attempting to enter illegally. Globally, the number is estimated to be around four million attempts each year. In addition to the problem growing, the nature of the problem is changing. It is now a sophisticated, organised criminal business worth at least $10 billion. In addition to the old wooden fishing vessels, we now have large steel-hulled vessels with sophisticated radar, global positioning equipment and hidden compartments. These new challenges require a systematic and considered response. Yesterday's announcement by the Prime Minister was just that.

The Australian government will spend an additional $124 million over four years to strengthen our capacity to detect and deter illegal arrivals. The initiatives include two additional Dash 8 aircraft to extend the footprint and intensity of Coastwatch's aerial surveillance, especially along eastern Australia, the apparent new favoured target; an additional night capable helicopter to be deployed in the Torres Strait; the establishment of a national surveillance centre at Coastwatch's Canberra headquarters, with electronic links to state government agencies and defence establishments; the creation of a new position, Director-General of Coastwatch, which will be filled by a senior officer of the Australian Defence Force. Liaison arrangements between Coastwatch, Defence and other agencies will also be strengthened. Twelve immigration officers will be posted overseas to major source and transit countries, including airport liaison officers at key airports. Bilateral agreements with source and transit countries will be concluded for cooperation on people smuggling issues and to provide for the return of illegal arrivals.

Australia will also give very strong support for the conclusion, as soon as possible, of a protocol on people smuggling in the proposed United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime. A high level committee chaired by the Office of National Assessments will also be established to coordinate information and intelligence on people smuggling. People smuggling, as with other crimes, is best targeted with intelligence at hand to focus one's resources appropriately. We will also introduce comprehensive legislative amendments to strengthen maritime investigatory and enforcement powers, and those provisions will be complemented by legislation that will strengthen penalties against people smuggling. There will be an opportunity soon for Labor and the Democrats to support increased penalties in relation to this area.

The government has therefore taken a very comprehensive and holistic approach. We are doing this by making sure that the key agencies involved can respond to the changing nature of people smuggling by having better intelligence, better coordination and far more resources.

Senator EGGLESTON —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. Despite the $124 million funding boost and the positive reception by both the media and general public, is the minister aware of any negative comments about these initiatives?

Senator VANSTONE (Justice and Customs) —As it happens, yes, I am. Mr Sciacca has said that massive cuts to expenditure over recent years by the government have resulted in reductions in staffing. Mr Kerr claims that the new funding is largely a robbing Peter to pay Paul exercise and that we are simply repackaging funding slashed in previous years. They both could not be more wrong. It is about time somebody took them to task for us. I look forward to the media taking up this issue. The expenditure in 1994-95 was $24.5 million.

Senator Robert Ray —It is always politicised—every time.

Senator VANSTONE —I acknowledge Senator Ray saying that I always politicise it. It was not us, Madam President, who put out the misinformation criticising this additional funding for Coastwatch. If Labor are happy to politicise it, we are happy to meet them head-on with that. We have shifted the funding from $24.5 million to an estimated expenditure this year of $35.7 million. The area covered in square nautical miles has increased dramatically from 29 million to an expected 84 million this year. (Time expired) .