Australian PM slams coalition for running fear campaign on asylum-seekers
October 21, 2009 9:48 am
CANBERRA, Oct. 21 — Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday slammed the coalition for lacking any policy credibility on immigration and running a fear campaign on asylum-seekers.
During a question time again dominated by the asylum-seeker issue, Labor and the coalition both further entrenched their positions on the influx of arrivals heading to Australia.
The coalition is accusing the government of going soft on border protection as Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull ramps up the tough-talking rhetoric — demanding Australia should decide "who comes to this country."
Rudd indicated the coalition argument is based on statistical falsehoods — the ebbs and flows in people seeking asylum in Australia reflected global trends.
"The reduction in asylum claims … of which the Liberal Party is so proud … is, in fact, a global reality happening in every country around the world around the same time," he told parliament.
"Worst of all, this is a party without one skerrick of moral compass when it comes to people smuggling."
Meanwhile, Rudd confirmed Australia and Indonesia would work together to resolve the issue of asylum seekers.
"That will mean providing additional assistance to our friends in Indonesia to help with the resettlement task," he said. (PNA/Xinhua)
DCT/rsm
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