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Australia PM Turnbull challenged over asylum policy Australia PM Turnbull challenged over asylum policy
(about 2 hours later)
Australia's new PM Malcolm Turnbull is facing fresh calls to close down offshore migrant detention centres. Australia's new PM Malcolm Turnbull is facing fresh calls to shut down offshore migrant detention centres.
Australia of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty said on Thursday the camps are unsafe. Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty said on Thursday the "unsafe" camps must close.
Nearly 450 staff at Mr Turnbull's former university have also expressed concern about claims of torture by government employees and contractors.Nearly 450 staff at Mr Turnbull's former university have also expressed concern about claims of torture by government employees and contractors.
Australia intercepts all irregular boat migrants and holds them in camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.Australia intercepts all irregular boat migrants and holds them in camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Mr Turnbull has defended the rules, a central policy of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, by saying they are tough but save lives.Mr Turnbull has defended the rules, a central policy of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, by saying they are tough but save lives.
'Repugnant acts''Repugnant acts'
In a letter to Mr Turnbull, Ms Batty said those detained in offshore centres needed care, instead of punishment.In a letter to Mr Turnbull, Ms Batty said those detained in offshore centres needed care, instead of punishment.
"The centres are, by their very design, unsafe and dangerous places. These centres cannot be patched up," she said."The centres are, by their very design, unsafe and dangerous places. These centres cannot be patched up," she said.
The academics, meanwhile, said there was "overwhelming" evidence that "repugnant acts" including torture and abuse had been carried out the camps.The academics, meanwhile, said there was "overwhelming" evidence that "repugnant acts" including torture and abuse had been carried out the camps.
This week, the Australian Broadcasting Corp aired allegations made by a Somali woman who said she was raped by two men on Nauru - and that it took police on the Pacific island four hours to respond.This week, the Australian Broadcasting Corp aired allegations made by a Somali woman who said she was raped by two men on Nauru - and that it took police on the Pacific island four hours to respond.
Australia and asylumAustralia and asylum
Is Australia's Cambodia solution 'an expensive joke'?Is Australia's Cambodia solution 'an expensive joke'?
Australia's controversial asylum policyAustralia's controversial asylum policy
Mr Turnbull said the rape claims raised in the report were "very alarming", but defended the government's stance on border security.Mr Turnbull said the rape claims raised in the report were "very alarming", but defended the government's stance on border security.
"The one thing we know is these policies, tough though they are, harsh though they are in many respects, actually do work, they save lives," Mr Turnbull said."The one thing we know is these policies, tough though they are, harsh though they are in many respects, actually do work, they save lives," Mr Turnbull said.
"We're taking a number of steps to work closely with the Nauru government to ensure the safety and the security of all the refugees living in that community.""We're taking a number of steps to work closely with the Nauru government to ensure the safety and the security of all the refugees living in that community."