JULIA Gillard has told Parliament Australia will follow the letter of the law on where 78 asylum-seekers intercepted in Indonesian waters will be sent.
Asked in question time why the asylum-seekers remain in limbo after being picked up by the Australian Navy in Indonesian waters, the acting Prime Minister said consultations were continuing.
Ms Gillard, who earlier pledged the government would get the balance right beween a hardline border control policy and showing compassion to refugees, confirmed one female passenger was suffering from fever and was being monitored.
“We will act in a way entirely consistent with out legal obligations,” she said.
“We will follow the letter of the law.”
Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull questioned her claims that a rise in asylum-seekers was sparked by push factors not a softening of policy.
“Why is the government trying to trick the Australian people with spin,” he asked.
Mr Turnbull said the government had rolled out the red carpet to people-smugglers.
The government is also under pressure today to explain whether a warning the government's policies would lead to a rise in people-smuggling was “excised” from a report prepared by Australian Federal Police.
The AFP refused to be drawn on the issue yesterday in Senate estimates on the grounds it was classified.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor also refused to comment, but accused the opposition of verballing the AFP on the issue today in question time.
HAZARA NEWS WESTERN AUSTRALIA
www.hazarawa.blogspot.com
The Australian
2 comments:
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