Australia election 2022: Ray Hadley blasts Anthony Albanese over boat turn backs

Anthony Albanese has been berated by Ray Hadley over his China policy and understanding of boat turn backs – but kept his cool under pressure. 

The radio shock jock – who is a big fan of Scott Morrison – blasted the Labor leader over his stance on temporary protection visas, arguing they are a crucial part of deterring people smugglers.

But Mr Albanese insisted that Operation Sovereign borders including boat turn-backs can work effectively without them.

Labor backs offshore detention and boat turn-backs but says temporary protection visas – which provide protection but no permanent settlement – are not necessary. 

They are not given to any illegal arrivals who have landed after 2013 but the Coalition spuriously claims they are a ‘key part of the deterrent’. 

Hadley outlined a hypothetical situation for Mr Albanese where a boat carrying illegal immigrants was approaching Australia. 

‘There’s a boat off northern Australia, okay, it can’t be turned back. So they come to Australia,’ he said.

Mr Albanese interrupted and said: ‘They won’t come to Australia’ and will be sent to Naru instead. 

Hadley raised his voice and challenged the Labor leader, saying: ‘They’ll go straight from the boat to Naru will they? Good luck.’ 

He then launched a rant asking Mr Albanese what type of visa he would give illegal arrivals if they land. 

The Labor leader kept calm and replied: ‘The same policy that exists now, Operation Sovereign Borders, will apply under us.’

‘No it won’t because you don’t have temporary protection visas,’ Hadley yelled.

The Labor leader interjected ‘yes it will’ but Hadley replied: ‘No it won’t, I lived through it Anthony.’

‘Temporary Protection visas are there for people who’ve been here prior to 2013,’ Mr Albanese insisted.

‘We support boat turn-backs and we support offshore processing. 

‘We support settlement in third countries. And we would have done the deal with New Zealand that was done far earlier and not implemented by this government until just before the election,’ he said.