WA: Court calls for bigger military role in coastguard

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-1999
WA: Court calls for bigger military role in coastguard

Western Australian Premier RICHARD COURT says the military ought to play a greater role in
patrolling Australia's coastline and preventing illegal immigrants landing.

Mr COURT says unused military bases in the state's far north could be used as patrol bases.

He says Coastwatch is effective but it's under pressure because people smugglers are using
better and better equipment.

Mr COURT says most illegal immigrants arrive by ship but it's only a matter of time before
aircraft are used, if they're not being used already.

His comments come in the wake of the arrival of 140 Iraqi boat people at Christmas Island
on Friday.

They are due to be transferred to the Port Hedland immigration detention centre soon, which
is already accommodating almost 700 alleged illegal immigrants.

AAP RTV alm/shm/jn

KEYWORD: BOAT (PERTH)

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