Politics

Scott Morrison Slammed For Last-Minute ‘Stop The Boats’ Announcement

"This is vile racist propaganda which reveals Morrison’s desperation and abject immorality."

by Lavender Baj  21 May 2022
scott morrison boats

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In a last-ditch scare campaign in the final hours of election day, the New South Wales Liberal Party have sent out a mass-text warning of an “illegal boat trying to reach Australia”.

Despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously proclaiming that he doesn’t comment on “on water matters”, the party was quick to use the boat’s presence to urge voters to re-elect them.

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“That vessel has been intercepted in accordance with the policies of government and they’re following those normal protocols,” Morrison told reporters while voting at Lilli Pilli public school on Saturday, adding that the Labor party has also been informed of the boat’s presence.

“I can simply say this. I’ve been here to stop this boat but in order for me to be there to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberal and Nationals today.”

The NSW branch of the party has since confirmed to The Guardian that it was — in fact — responsible for the text, adding that “as Australians go to vote today it is important that they are informed about the choice that is before them”.

“BREAKING – Aust Border Force has intercepted an illegal boat trying to reach Aus. Keep our borders secure by voting Liberal today,” the text read, alongside a link to the Liberal Party website.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told a press conference on Saturday that two boats were found — one of which was intercepted by the Sri Lankan navy with 40 people onboard. The second vessel was intercepted by the ABF “near Christmas Island”.

The ABF has since confirmed this in a statement. “A vessel has been intercepted in a likely attempt to illegally enter Australia from Sri Lanka,” the statement read. “The Australian Government’s policy remains unchanged. We will intercept any vessel seeking to reach Australia illegally and to safely return those on board to their point of departure or country of origin.

“Measures and safeguards are in place to enable actions and activities to be undertaken in accordance with Australian domestic law and Australia’s obligations under international law.

“The overriding priority for all agencies involved in Operation Sovereign Borders is the safety of all persons involved, including potential illegal immigrants and vessel crews as well as Australian personnel.”

Australia’s refugee and asylum seeker policies have been widely criticised for violating human rights laws regarding torture and indefinite detention. As it currently stands, both major parties support the torturous policies, while the Australian Greens are the only party to officially pledge to end offshore detention.

This is the first time in recent history that Scott Morrison or the Liberal party have discussed ‘on-water matters’, which is particularly interesting given that it is election day.