Fed:Asylum seekers being moved away from Australian coast

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2009
Fed:Asylum seekers being moved away from Australian coast

49 boat people stopped near Ashmore reef yesterday .. are being taken to Christmas
Island .. two and a half thousand kilometres away from the West Australian coast.

It's the sixth boatload of asylum seekers to arrive in Australian waters this year.

Home Affairs Minister BOB DEBUS says their interception 600 kilometres from Broome
.. shows the effectiveness of the government's border protection program.

It's believed the people on board are from Afghanistan .. and Mr DEBUS says they'll
undergo health .. security and identity checks when they arrive at Christmas Island next
week.

AAP RTV saj/cdh/rt

KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)

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