The boatload of 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls was believed to be bound for Australia or New Zealand. Mr Dutton used the intercepted vessel to attack Labor's approach to border protection. Mr Dutton warned New Zealand was now being marketed as a "definite destination" by people smugglers. "The people smugglers understand that and I don't understand why Labor can't get it," Mr Dutton told reporters. Mr Neumann said the government should be able to negotiate a resettlement deal with New Zealand akin to one struck with the United States.

Source: Sunday Times May 07, 2018 07:18 UTC