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Scott Morrison says burns allegations amount to 'sledging' of Australian navy Scott Morrison says burns allegations amount to 'sledging' of Australian navy
(35 minutes later)
The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has responded to reports of asylum seekers suffering burns while being tow backed to Indonesia, saying he would not accept people “sledging” the Australian navy. The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has responded to reports of asylum seekers suffering burns while being towed back to Indonesia, saying he would not accept people “sledging” the Australian navy.
Morrison defended the conduct of the navy adding people smugglers had “strong motivations to fabricate stories”.Morrison defended the conduct of the navy adding people smugglers had “strong motivations to fabricate stories”.
The asylum seekers claimed they were forced to hold on to hot pipes coming out of an engine when they were transferred on to another boat and taken back to Indonesia on 6 January. They also told ABC News they had been beaten.The asylum seekers claimed they were forced to hold on to hot pipes coming out of an engine when they were transferred on to another boat and taken back to Indonesia on 6 January. They also told ABC News they had been beaten.
Morrison has emphatically rejected the claims saying it was “unfortunate” the ABC published the stories.Morrison has emphatically rejected the claims saying it was “unfortunate” the ABC published the stories.
“The Australian government is not going to put up with people sledging the navy with unsubstantiated claims when they have high levels of motivations to spin stories,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.“The Australian government is not going to put up with people sledging the navy with unsubstantiated claims when they have high levels of motivations to spin stories,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“There is no substantiation to the sorts of allegations that are being made and publicised and put around.”“There is no substantiation to the sorts of allegations that are being made and publicised and put around.”
Morrison said he had been personally assured the conduct of the navy and customs officers was appropriate at all times.Morrison said he had been personally assured the conduct of the navy and customs officers was appropriate at all times.
“I am assured about the professionalism and the integrity of the conduct of our officers and I have absolutely no reason to doubt it,” he said.“I am assured about the professionalism and the integrity of the conduct of our officers and I have absolutely no reason to doubt it,” he said.
“The people smugglers have strong motives to get people to fabricate stories.”“The people smugglers have strong motives to get people to fabricate stories.”
The ABC has also obtained a video of what appears to be asylum seekers receiving medical assessments for burns.The ABC has also obtained a video of what appears to be asylum seekers receiving medical assessments for burns.
The allegations have come as customs and defence issued terms of reference for an inquiry examining how Australian vessels strayed into Indonesian waters.The allegations have come as customs and defence issued terms of reference for an inquiry examining how Australian vessels strayed into Indonesian waters.
In a statement issued about 10pm on Tuesday, customs and defence confirmed an investigation covering the period between 1 December 2013 and 20 January 2014.In a statement issued about 10pm on Tuesday, customs and defence confirmed an investigation covering the period between 1 December 2013 and 20 January 2014.
The Abbott government has confirmed that Australian vessels made several inadvertent incursions into Indonesian waters. The embarrassing admission followed earlier declarations that Australia would not under any circumstances violate Indonesian sovereign territory as part of any efforts to return asylum boats.The Abbott government has confirmed that Australian vessels made several inadvertent incursions into Indonesian waters. The embarrassing admission followed earlier declarations that Australia would not under any circumstances violate Indonesian sovereign territory as part of any efforts to return asylum boats.
The statement outlining the scope of the inquiry issued by customs and defence acknowledged “the seriousness of this matter and the urgency required as a consequence of the importance of our relationship with Indonesia”.The statement outlining the scope of the inquiry issued by customs and defence acknowledged “the seriousness of this matter and the urgency required as a consequence of the importance of our relationship with Indonesia”.
“The joint review will focus on the circumstances leading to the entry of Australian vessels into Indonesian waters,” it said.“The joint review will focus on the circumstances leading to the entry of Australian vessels into Indonesian waters,” it said.
“Specifically, the review will assess the sequence of events and cause of Australian vessels entering into Indonesian waters in connection with Operation Sovereign Borders.”“Specifically, the review will assess the sequence of events and cause of Australian vessels entering into Indonesian waters in connection with Operation Sovereign Borders.”
The joint review would “identify any potential procedural weaknesses or deficiencies in maritime operations and make recommendations to ensure that any immediate operational policy or procedure issues are highlighted and rectified promptly,” the statement said.The joint review would “identify any potential procedural weaknesses or deficiencies in maritime operations and make recommendations to ensure that any immediate operational policy or procedure issues are highlighted and rectified promptly,” the statement said.
The terms of reference suggest the inquiry will have both classified and unclassified sections.The terms of reference suggest the inquiry will have both classified and unclassified sections.
The report is due on 10 February but it is not clear whether the investigation will be released publicly.The report is due on 10 February but it is not clear whether the investigation will be released publicly.