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WHAT A JOKE: A FINE FOR PEOPLE SMUGGLING

Press Releases February 05 2010

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Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding has called on the Rudd Government to extradite notorious Indonesian people smuggler Adraham Louhenapessy to Australia so he can be dealt with properly.

Senator Fielding’s call comes after revelations Louhenapessy, better known as Captain Bram, could be let off with only a fine after trying to bring 254 Sri Lankans to Australia last year.

“If Louhenapessy was tried in Australia he’d be looking at 25 years behind bars but under the Indonesian court system he’ll probably end up with nothing more than a slap on the wrist,” Senator Fielding said.

“If Indonesian authorities aren’t willing to deal with this man properly, then we should bring him here to Australia and throw the book at him.

“The Indonesian Government is supposed to be helping us deal with the issue of asylum seekers but clearly they aren’t taking the issue seriously.

“The guy is a crook who takes advantage of vulnerable people and then dumps them on our shores for us to take care of.

“We need to throw the full force of the law at Louhenapessy to make sure we send a message to the rest of the world that we won’t tolerate people smuggling.

“If this guy gets away with a fine it’ll be an international disgrace and an embarrassment for the Rudd Government.”