Towing boats back not the solution, says Defence chief
PAUL MALEY
From:The Australian
December 19, 2012 12:00AM
THE Coalition's policy to stop asylum boats by turning them back at sea has suffered another blow, with Defence Force chief David Hurley downplaying tow-backs as an "operational technique" and not a solution.
General Hurley said the policy, which now stands as one of the few points of difference between the opposition and the government, would not necessarily resonate among smugglers.
Rather, the people-smugglers would probably adapt to the new policy and counter it.
"They will work around this," General Hurley told Sky News yesterday.
"They will change techniques and within two days they'll come up with a counter. They're very agile in that sense."
However, General Hurley did indicate he thought the manoeuvre, which was used briefly but to considerable effect during the Howard years, was at least possible.
He said it was the job of the defence forces to "do what the government of the day requires us to do".
"If there was a change of policy we would discuss that with government and enact the policy," he said.
He downplayed the effect boat tow-backs would have on the smuggling networks.
"That's an operational technique, it's not a solution," General Hurley said.
"It's one very, very small part of this. And you've seen different reactions internationally to those sorts of proposals."
In 2001 the navy's Operation Relex returned asylum boats to Indonesia.
In total, 12 boats were intercepted, three of which sank during interception or towing.
Senior navy officers would later give Senate evidence that intercepted asylum-seekers became steadily more aggressive and learned to counter the tactics of the navy, criticisms echoed by the government today.
Acting Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said yesterday the Coalition had never advocated tow-backs as a stand-alone policy.
"It is part of a range of measures we will put in place to dismantle the people-smuggling trade," she said.
General Hurley added the navy's work at sea, which has been relentless this year following an upsurge of asylum boats, had taken a considerable toll on its personnel.
Sky News Australia
Towing boats back not the solution
The Australian - 8 hours ago
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