Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has confirmed four illegal boats have been intercepted off the coast of Western Australia, claiming it demonstrates the Australian Border Force (ABF) is doing exactly what is needed of them. The ABF said in a statement that Maritime Border Command (MBC) intercepted a single vessel and, following further enquiries, another three foreign fishing vessels were found and interdicted on the northern coast of WA. Speaking on ABC News Breakfast , Gallagher said protecting Australia’s borders was an “area of pressure” but that the ABF “is doing the job they need to do up there”.
“We’ve got a massive coastline up there, I think the issue of illegal fishing is attracting the attention of Border Force, and I think it shows that if Border Force are concerned, they will intercept and deal with those fishing boats,” Gallagher continued. “This is going to be, you know, an area of pressure, but Border Force is resourced to do the job, we thank them very much for the work they’re doing. It’s difficult and complex work, but they’re doing exactly what we need them to do up there.
” In a statement, the ABF said it had increased staffing, patrol vehicles and a rotary wing asset for rapid response. “The operational response is ongoing and the ABF will not comment any further than to say ABF/MBC pursues strong enforcement action in cases of illegal foreign fishing,” the statement read. This morning’s top headlines: Good morning readers and thanks for tuning in.
This morning, Rebecca Peppiatt visits one of the vulnerable retail workers at the coalface of an exponential rise in stealing and crime in WA shops as new statistics reveal shoplifting has doubled in recent years . Meanwhile, Claire Ottaviano takes you behind the scenes of the latest building approval set to change the face of Nedlands – in a way not everyone’s happy about . And in case you missed it, last night Peter Milne reported job and cost cuts at MinRes that will dial down the luxury at one of Perth’s most perk-laden workplaces.
Stay with us with more to come from our reporters, including coverage of the third day of Linda Reynolds’ defamation proceedings against Brittany Higgins..
