Australian Border Force officials believe the detection of four men on a remote island just off the Northern Territory mainland has foiled an attempt by people smugglers to find a new way of breaching the nation’s border defences.
Seven News understands the men, of East Asian appearance, paid people smugglers to take a fishing boat from Indonesia to Croker Island.
Croker Island is less than a kilometre off the mainland coast of Arnhem Land and about 250km north-east of Darwin.
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It is understood the men did not intend to seek asylum, instead planning to avoid the authorities and make their way to Australia’s east coast to find work.
But local Aboriginal rangers found them wandering along a beach on Croker Island in a state of near exhaustion in oppressive weather conditions on Monday.
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Seven News understands the men were handed over to Border Force and have now been sent to Nauru for offshore processing.
The failed mission marked a sharp change in tactics by the people smugglers.
Border officials believe it shows they are trying to find new landing spots after two attempts to deliver groups of illegal arrivals on Western Australia’s remote Kimberley Coast were also foiled early this year.
Neither the ABF nor the Northern Territory Police would comment on the incident, saying they did not discuss operational issues.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke released a short statement saying: “No people smuggling ventures have been successful under our government. People who come to Australia by boat have zero chance of success.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the incident proved that people smugglers were testing the government’s resolve.
“It is clear the people smuggler think they are back in business,” he said.
“It is now the 23rd boat arrival and it’s got in undetected. The borders are not secure under the Albanese Government.”
That was rejected by former Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.
“It is very irresponsible,” Mr Giles said.
“Obviously we don’t comment on operational matters that relate to Operation Sovereign Borders. This has been the practice of successive governments.
“This is not a matter anyone should be playing politics over.”
It is understood the men will be immediately assessed and if found to have no legitimate claims for asylum they will be sent back to Indonesia or their home country.