ALP immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, signals possible backflip on policy it had previously panned as dangerous and ineffective

Labor may keep the practice of turning asylum boats around if it wins office at the next election, signalling what could be a major policy backflip.



Turning back boats where it is safe to do so is a central pillar of the government’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy.

Labor had vociferously panned the policy as dangerous and ineffective.

But on Sunday, Labor’s immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, admitted that the policy had reduced the number of boat arrivals.

“It has had an impact,” he told Sky News, adding that it was only effective because it was used in conjunction with regional resettlement, a Labor initiative.

Marles also admitted Labor “might” keep the controversial policy, but only if it had the support of the Indonesian government.

“If there was a situation if in which Indonesia agrees with this, then that’s a game-changer,” he said.

“We are open-minded on this. We are utterly committed to make sure that the humanitarian crisis that happened on our borders [of asylum seekers drowning at sea while trying to reach Australia] never happens again.”

Indonesia has consistently criticised the turnback policy, saying it impinges on its sovereignty. Labor had argued that the policy is bad for bilateral relations.

The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, wrote in a statement: “Don’t trust what Labor says, trust what they do.”

“In opposition they voted against turn backs and temporary visas. The Australian people know who they can trust on our borders.”

Asylum seeker advocates have denounced Labor’s apparent change of heart on turnbacks.

“It is very disturbing when both sides of politics see asylum seekers as a commodity in political deal-making,” Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said.

Greens spokeswoman on immigration, Sarah Hanson-Young, said: “There was a time when Labor stood up for refugees and for Australians who believed in a fair go for all. That time is over.

“Labor have gone to water in the face of Tony Abbott’s cheap, politically motivated cruelty campaign.”

The potential change in Labor policy comes as the government looks set to introduce a contentious new bill to the Senate.

The bill would legislate the turnback policy under the Maritime Powers Act and reintroduce temporary protection visas (TPVs). It seeks to alter the definition of refugee, and circumvent the role of the high court in deciding asylum seeker issues.

It passed the House of Representatives last week, and will only pass the Senate with the support of the Palmer United party (PUP).

Head of PUP, Clive Palmer, made a deal with the Coalition to pass the legislation last month, but that deal looks shaky, as PUP argues the bill is different from the one it agreed to support. Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie is considering the bill before it heads to the Senate this week.

Labor has expressed concern with certain elements of the bill, including the reintroduction of TPVs and the moves to strip courts of power in deciding cases, labelling the move “inappropriate”.

Marles also has concerns with moving away from the United Nations convention by changing the legal definition of refugee.

“It’s a stunt,” he said. “This is a cheap play of legal nationalism on the part of the government.”