Premier demands explanation for illegal arrivals

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has demanded an explanation after a ship arrived undetected on a North Queensland beach.

The Premier was in Cairns where police were able to provide details of the search for more than a dozen people who arrived on the boat and fled into the Daintree rainforest.

‘I am surprised this boat could come this far south,’ the Premier said.

‘I look forward to getting a briefing and I hope the dysfunction and chaos we saw in Canberra didn’t result in the minister responsible taking his eye off the ball.’

The premier praised locals and police after 12 from the boat were taken into custody.

Two remained at large.

Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Region Paul Taylor said the terrain could be dangerous.

‘I would hate to be staying there a second night,’ he said.

The premier said she looked forward to a discussion with the Prime Minister.

‘Peter Dutton needs to explain did they drop the ball during the show and dysfunction over the past week.’