Defence Minister of Australia Brendan Nelson has confirmed that the Australian Navy fired at and damaged an illegal fishing boat in northern Australian waters.
Dr Nelson says the incident happened some time in the past month, but would not say where the boat was from or how many shots were fired.
He says the Navy warship warned the boat to leave, but as it approached the boat's crew began throwing missiles including machetes.
Dr Nelson says he gave the chief of the Defence Force the go ahead for the crew to open fire.
"The large steel-hulled foreign fishing vessel sought to ram the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat," he said.
"Missles were thrown, including machetes at Australian sailors. The Chief of Defence phoned me and asked me if they could undertake direct fire and I said, 'Yes they most certainly can'."
He says the boat has not been seen in Australian waters since. - © 2007 ABC Australia
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