The Wire

In efforts to further pressure the federal government to tackle the issue of border security in the countrys’ north, a federal Labor taskforce has this week visited the North-East Arnhem Land community of Maningrida. Ian Munroe from the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation took the opportunity to point out that local sea rangers have reported 26 illegal boats since September, but Customs still treat them with no respect. Taskforce chair Anna Burke says the Howard government has been negligent in its refusal to address the situation.