Dutton needs to explain: Premier

THE PREMIER has expressed surprise that an illegal boat was able to reach the Daintree on the weekend despite Australian Border Force resources in the area.

“I am surprised with the fact that this boat was able to come so far south,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“We know that we have good resources up on the Torres Strait.”

In Cairns yesterday to be briefed by the Queensland Police service, she mused whether the boat’s arrival was somehow made possible by the federal leadership spill.

“I hope the dysfunction of the last few days in Canberra has not contributed to the Minister responsible taking his eye off the ball.”

“Peter Dutton needs to explain how this happened.”

Police and Border Force were alerted to the illegal vessel by a “concerned boatie” who spied the semi-submerged vessel that had run aground off the Daintree.

“He contacted authorities at 11.30,” QPS Assistant Commissioner for Northern Region Paul Taylor said.

“There was an ongoing search for people believed to have been from the vessel.”

He said the detainees that had been found by QPS and ABF were in good health.

A number of the ship’s crew had escaped into rainforest and waterways with two still at large.

“If you aren’t familiar with that country it is quite hazardous,” Assistant Commissioner Taylor said.

“It is difficult terrain out there, I’d hate to be staying in there a second night.”

It is still unclear whether they were asylum seekers or illegal fishermen.

“The matter is under investigation and it is early days yet,” Assistant Commissioner Taylor said.