CANBERRA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- 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 illegal people smuggling boat 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.
"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.
"Australians know that the coalition - the Liberal and the National Party coalition - will keep their borders secure," Turnbull said.
"That is the foundation of our immigration policies. It is the foundation of our multicultural society. Australians must know that their government and their government alone determines who comes to Australia.
"That is their sovereign right. That is our sovereign right as a nation."
Turnbull's words come at a sensitive time for immigration after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary travel ban for citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States.
Australia's border policies were also thrust into the news after details of a phone call between Trump and Turnbull - regarding a deal for the U.S. to take up to 1,200 asylum seekers from Australia's offshore processing detention centers - were leaked to the media. Trump described the deal as the "worst ever."
