The Guardian online has used my quotes selectively to misrepresent the Coalition's stance with regard to people smuggling policy.
The journalist was told repeatedly that it was not possible for the Coalition, from Opposition, to negotiate agreements with foreign governments.
This unequivocal statement was omitted from the original story which drew the opposite conclusion.
Since the Labor government weakened the Howard government's border protection laws, more than 700 boats carrying more than 43,000 people have arrived on our shores.