At the risk of being simple,why didnt Rudd when PM while in his...

At the risk of being simple,why didnt Rudd when PM while in his 'war on everything' mood or Julia now,not turn the attention on the people who skipper the boats ?

There is little if any chance of catching the actual money taking smugglers, so why not declare a minimum 25 year prison term for anyone who had their hands on the wheel on getting here ?

They are responsible for driving the boat onto the rocks un -intentionaly or otherwise