According to the Australian newspaper, The Advertiser, Air New Zealand has been issued with 501 infringement notices for
bringing illegal immigrants into Australia. John Howard reports.
Airlines flying into Australia are bringing record numbers of illegal foreigners in the country with the national
carrier, Qantas, bringing more than any other airline.
The airlines are fined under section 229 of the Migration Act with the government collecting A$9.2 million in the
1998-99 year. Up from A$6.6 million in 1997-98.
In the year to November, 2631 illegal immigrants arrived by boat in Australia but this number is dwarfed by the almost
5000 infringement notices issued to airlines such as Qantas, Malaysian Airlines, Air NZ, Singapore Airlines and United
Airlines. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Ansett Airlines were also issued with infringement
notices.
Many illegal immigrants were allowed to stay in Australia after questioning.