The Northern Land Council (NLC) has confirmed the discovery of four men, believed to be foreign nationals, who were found on the remote Croker Island off the north coast of Australia. The men stated that they had paid someone to be taken to Australia and were suffering from exhaustion and the heat wave in the region. The NLC reported that the men had been assisted by Aboriginal rangers and the NT Police and are no longer on Australian soil.
Aboriginal rangers had spotted a vessel on Croker Island and discovered the remains of two sharks with fins and tails removed on a beach. The NLC has noted an increase in foreign boats breaching Aboriginal land and waters along the West Arnhem Land coastline, posing a threat to indigenous fauna.
The discovery of these men has raised concerns, with Territory’s MP for Arafura, Manuel Brown, urging authorities to ensure they have the necessary resources to respond to such situations. The Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration emphasized the government’s tough stance on people smugglers through Operation Sovereign Borders.
Since the federal election in May 2022, there have been 22 confirmed illegal boat arrivals carrying a total of 469 people. Federal Indigenous Minister Malarndirri McCarthy highlighted the importance of Indigenous rangers in monitoring illegal activities along the coastlines and communicating with law enforcement.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed concern over the recent arrivals, suggesting that people smugglers may believe they are back in business. The security of Australia’s borders has been questioned, with calls for stronger measures to prevent illegal boat arrivals. Australian Border Force and Northern Territory Police have refrained from commenting on operational matters.
Croker Island, with a population of about 265 people, is characterized by beaches, wetlands, and swamps. The incident involving the four men underscores the challenges faced in protecting Australia’s borders and indigenous territories. Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?
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