Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday praised his government's border security policies, saying it has been more than 900 days since the last boat smuggling illegal people arrived in Australia.
Speaking at a joint Liberal and National party meeting ahead of Parliament's resumption, the premier said the "remarkable" achievement was a testament to Australia's strong border policies, Xinhua news agency reported.
"We stand for security, for borders with integrity. Look around the world at the grief and the turmoil that you've seen through lax border protection," Turnbull said.
"We have now gone over 900 days without a successful people smuggling venture coming to Australia. That is a remarkable achievement and one on which we can never be complacent."
He said it was important that Australians were aware that the government was on top of unlawful immigration, and would continue to prevent people smugglers from bringing boatloads of illegal asylum seekers.
Turnbull's remarks come at a sensitive time for immigration after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary travel ban for citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the US.
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--IANS
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