The Prime Minister's lightning visit to the Indian Ocean territory stirred some harsh words from the locals.
"Now that they're basically saying it's open, I wouldn't mind betting that they [people smugglers] have already started to try and accommodate people on the boats," Ms Watson said.The Watsons were on the island the day the SIEV 221 crashed ashore in 2010 during rough weather, costing 50 asylum seekers their lives.
"Certainly we engaged basically in getting every life vest we could and throwing it not necessarily at people, but just in the water, because there [were] people everywhere in the water and if they had something to grab a hold of it was better than what they had, which was nothing."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Morrison says asylum seekers could force Australians to miss out on public housingPrime Minister Scott Morrison has repeated claims that providing medical treatment to asylum seekers would mean Australians miss out on public housing.
Read more »
Scott Morrison inspects Christmas Island facilities | Sky News AustraliaScott Morrison has become the first Prime Minister to visit Christmas Island, where he reaffirmed the government's goal to bring medical transfers from Manus Island and Nauru to the immigration facilities.\n\nScott Morrison told reporters on Wednesday that he had been pleased to be able to close the facility last year, but said Labor's part in passing the medivac bill has required his government to reopen it. \n\nSince the Medivac bill, which gives doctors more say in transferring refugees and asylum seekers for medical treatment, was made law on Friday no applications fir medical transfers have been submitted. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Read more »
Scott Morrison inspects Christmas Island facilities | Sky News AustraliaScott Morrison has become the first Prime Minister to visit Christmas Island, where he reaffirmed the government's goal to bring medical transfers from Manus Island and Nauru to the immigration facilities.\n\nScott Morrison told reporters on Wednesday that he had been pleased to be able to close the facility last year, but said Labor's part in passing the medivac bill has required his government to reopen it. \n\nSince the Medivac bill, which gives doctors more say in transferring refugees and asylum seekers for medical treatment, was made law on Friday no applications for medical transfers have been submitted. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Read more »
Scott Morrison inspects Christmas Island facilities | Sky News AustraliaScott Morrison has become the first sitting Prime Minister to visit Christmas Island, where he reaffirmed the government's goal to bring medical transfers from Manus Island and Nauru to the immigration facilities.\n\nMr Morrison told reporters on Wednesday that he had been pleased to be able to close the facility last year, but said Labor's part in passing the medivac bill has required his government to reopen it. \n\nMedical evacuation laws that passed parliament against the government's wishes last month make it easier for sick asylum seekers to come to Australia, although the immigration minister can still reject transfers based on national security grounds.\n\nThe government has budgeted $1.44 billion over four years to reopen the centre.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Read more »
Scott Morrison sending clear message on Christmas Island: Jane Marwick | Sky News AustraliaThe Prime Minister is sending a clear message to people smugglers following his visit to Christmas Island, Sky News commentator Jane Marwick says.\n\nScott Morrison became the first sitting prime minister to visit Christmas Island on Wednesday, touring the newly reopened detention centre. \n\nHe has denied reopening the centre was an invitation to people smugglers to try their luck again. \n\nMs Marwick told Peta Credlin that it seems Mr Morrison is sending the message loudly and clearly, 'not on his watch'. \n\n\n\n\n
Read more »
Prime Minister Scott Morrison to pledge a record $328 million to combat domestic violenceThe Morrison Government is set to develop Australia's first national strategy for domestic violence prevention
Read more »
Scott Morrison pledges $328m to prevent domestic violenceThe federal government will inject $328 million into programs to prevent domestic violence, the prime minister has announced.
Read more »
Scott Morrison says tackling disrespect key to reducing violence against womenThe federal government will inject $328 million into programs to prevent domestic violence, the prime minister has announced auspol
Read more »
Scott Morrison warns of economic downturn under LaborThe Prime Minister was careful when asked if he was actually saying Australia could go into recession under Labor.
Read more »
Scott Morrison stokes fears of a recession under Labor | Sky News AustraliaScott Morrison has stoked fears of a recession under a Labor government, warning a vote for the Opposition would be an 'economic leap in the dark'.\n\nLabor has dismissed warnings of an economic downturn as 'desperate and dishonest', with Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen slamming Mr Morrison's comments as 'highly irresponsible'.\n\nWhen asked if he was being alarmist by raising the prospect of a recession, the prime minister said, 'I think it's the truth.'\n\nImage: News Corp Australia \n\n\n\n\n
Read more »