The Opposition has accused the Albanese Government of "risking lives" with its border policies after it was revealed four asylum seeker boats were intercepted last month.
The Australian Border Force on Friday released its monthly Operation Sovereign Borders update which covered the period from June 1 to June 30 - the first full month of the Albanese Government.
The update showed a total of 125 Sri Lankan nationals were sent back to their home country after being found on board the vessels intercepted.
"During this reporting period, Australian authorities intercepted four maritime people smuggling ventures from Sri Lanka with a total of 125 Sri Lankan nationals on board," an ABF statement said.
"All 125 passengers and crew were safely returned to Sri Lanka in close cooperation with the Sri Lankan Government."
Shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews seized on the report to attack the Albanese Government, saying it was "risking lives with mixed messaging on Australia's border policies".
"Alarmingly, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly stopped additional boats within their jurisdiction. Some of these boats had children on board, facing treacherous conditions," Ms Andrews said.
"This is the harsh reality of what happens when a Government signals it is weak on Australia's borders.
"I am calling on Labor to do the right thing by keeping Temporary Protection Visas - a key pillar of OSB - and protect lives, instead of preferencing ideology."
Ms Andrews said more than 50,000 people arrived illegally on more than 820 boats the last time Labor was in power, with 1,200 deaths at sea.
"The question Labor needs to answer is why are all these boats arriving now?" she said.
"Sending mixed messages – particularly in relation to Temporary Protection Visas – creates opportunity for people smugglers to prey on vulnerable people.
"It is crucial to our national security and our sovereignty that we maintain the integrity of Australia's borders."
SkyNews.com.au contacted Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil for a response to the ABF update but was told by a spokesperson she was not available for comment on Friday.
Border security was one of the key issues Labor and the Coalition clashed over during the Federal Election campaign.
Labor said it supported Operation Sovereign Borders, including boat turnbacks, but without the use of temporary protection visas.
Meanwhile, a Department of Home Affairs report released last week said the former Morrison government leaked information about the interception of a suspected asylum seeker boat on election day.
Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo found departmental officials, including the ABF, acted with integrity by refusing to release a media statement while an operation was underway.
During his final press conference as prime minister, Mr Morrison was asked about reports a Sri Lankan vessel had been intercepted by the ABF.
Mr Morrison confirmed the interception despite the department not yet publishing an official statement to the public.
Ms O'Neil described the move as a "disgraceful" characteristic of a government "which frequently pursued political interests above the national interest".
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2022-07-29 04:09:26Z
CBMi1wFodHRwczovL3d3dy5za3luZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9hdXN0cmFsaWEtbmV3cy9wb2xpdGljcy9hdXN0cmFsaWFuLWJvcmRlci1mb3JjZS1yZXZlYWxzLWZvdXItYXN5bHVtLXNlZWtlci1ib2F0cy13ZXJlLWludGVyY2VwdGVkLWluLWp1bmUtd2l0aC0xMjUtc3JpLWxhbmthbi1uYXRpb25hbHMtb24tYm9hcmQvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS80YzQwZDJiMGI1YzUwZTVkZTM2YmVmNDExYjViYWY4ONIBAA
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