Over recent months the government has considered the independent inquiry
by Air Vice Marshal Alan Heggen AO (retired) into the illegal boat
landings at Nambucca Heads and Cairns and the report of the Prime
Minister's Coastal Surveillance Task Force.
The government's acceptance of the recommendations of the Task Force
on 27 June to strengthen Australia's capacity to deter and detect
illegal immigration has generated a great deal of discussion.
In the interest or promoting a greater understanding of the issues
related to illegal immigration and of the measures I announced on
27 June, I have decided to release the Task Force's report and the
findings and recommendations of the Heggen inquiry. The Heggen report
has been withheld because it contains a considerable amount of operational
detail which if released would compromise future operations against
people smuggling syndicates. Similarly, the Task Force's report has
been amended to protect operational and intelligence matters.
The release of these reports is further evidence that the government
is serious about the issue of illegal immigration and in gaining the
understanding and support of all Australians in the fight against
illegal immigration.