Border Force officers went on board the vessel and are assessing whether it is safe to turn the boat around back to Sri Lanka.
The Liberal Party immediately on Saturday began texting voters in marginal seats:“BREAKING – Aust Border Force has intercepted an illegal boat trying to reach Aus. Keep our borders secure by voting Liberal today.”
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Campaigning in his electorate of Cook,Prime Minister Scott Morrison said:“I’ve been here to stop this boat. But in order for me to be there to stop those that may come from here,you need to vote Liberal and Nationals today.”
Asked why he was discussing on-water matters on the day of the election,Morrison said it was in the “in the interests of full transparency”,adding that the Labor Party was also briefed.
In a statement,Border Force said the boat was intercepted on Saturday morning “in a likely attempt to illegally enter Australia from Sri Lanka”.
“The Australian government’s policy remains unchanged. We will intercept any vessel seeking to reach Australia illegally and to safely return those on board to their point of departure or country of origin,” Border Force said.