'Zero Chance' campaign launched to deter illegal immigrants from arriving by boat to Australia

The Australian government yesterday warned against trying to reach Australia by boat, saying a revamped campaign called ‘Zero Chance’ was launched to block such attempts.

“I want to send a very clear message today to people smugglers both in Sri Lanka and across the region,” Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton told media at the Australian high commission.

Mr Dutton added that “Australia has had a recent election and the government has been re-elected. However, the law in relation to security is not changed. People smugglers might be telling some of those who seek to come to Australia that the situation has changed, but it hasn’t.”

Recently 20 illegal immigrants travelling from Sri Lanka on a people smuggling boat were captured and returned to Sri Lanka on May 29, 2019. 

The minister said before this incident there have been a lull in activity of illegal immigration to Australia.

“Sri Lanka’s coast guard, the navy and the police do great work in co-operating on this threat. On the 23rd of May they rescued a vessel in the Indian Ocean that had gotten into distress,” Commander of Operation Sovereign Boarders, Craig Furini said at the media briefing.

“Fortunately the Sri Lankan Navy managed to rescue 41 Sri Lankan nationals on board. This highlights the real danger behind attempting these journeys. “Over 1200 people have drowned at sea attempting such journeys,” he said.

Pix by Amila Gamage