on โ24-01-2014 04:18 PM
on โ24-01-2014 04:31 PM
Fact Check also asked the Prime Minister's office what law he says these people were attempting to break. In the absence of any clarification or suggestion of any unrelated criminal acts by the asylum seekers, Fact Check takes him to mean that the people were attempting to break Australian migration law.
As noted in the earlier fact check relating to Mr Morrison's comments, entry into Australia is governed by the Commonwealth Migration Act 1958.
While it is accurate to describe asylum seekers who enter Australia without a valid visa as "unlawful" or even "illegal entrants", it is not a criminal offence to enter Australia without a visa.
Calling someone "unlawful" or an "illegal entrant" is a description of how they entered the country and determines the way authorities process them.
It does not mean they have broken any law.
Arriving without a visa can only result in criminal sanctions if there is some other offence involved such as falsifying a passport or forging a document.
on โ24-01-2014 04:33 PM
Who was he referring to? The Asylum seekers or the crew members? People smuggling is illegal in Australia.
Based on the definition set out in the people smuggling protocol, people who have come to Australia without a valid visa have illegally entered the country. (From ABC Fact Check)
on โ24-01-2014 04:44 PM
ABC Fact Check spends so much time splitting hairs about innuendo that it is a worthless exercise. Definitely not objective.
on โ24-01-2014 04:47 PM
yeah, i know.....just going with the flow.....
on โ24-01-2014 05:09 PM
No hair splitting or innuendo that I can see
on โ24-01-2014 05:10 PM
meep - asylum seekers
on โ24-01-2014 05:14 PM
@boris1gary wrote:
- The claim: Tony Abbott says asylum seekers who come to Australia are attempting to break Australian law.
- The verdict: Mr Abbott is incorrect. Australia recognises people's right to seek asylum and entering Australia without a valid visa is not a criminal offence.
No hair splitting or innuendo that I can see
What did Tony Abbott actually say?
on โ24-01-2014 05:15 PM
on โ24-01-2014 05:19 PM