Labor demands apology Peter Dutton after attack on refugees

THE Liberal Party’s re-election campaign is on the back foot after a harsh reaction to Peter Dutton’s inflammatory comments on refugees.

MALCOLM Turnbull has echoed Peter Dutton’s comments on “illiterate” refugees this afternoon, as the Immigration Minister’s inflammatory comments put the Liberal Party on the defensive.

Labor has accused the government of Pauline Hanson politics over Mr Dutton’s remarks, which cast refugees as illiterate, long-term welfare recipients, who take jobs from Australians.

In a press conference in Townsville this afternoon, Mr Turnbull said many refugees “have never been employed. Many of them have not had very much education. Many of them are illiterate in their own languages”.

He praised his “outstanding Immigration Minister” but appeared to downplay concerns about refugees becoming welfare addicted or taking jobs from locals.

The Prime Minister said it was no criticism to point out many refugees were unskilled and illiterate: “It’s no fault of theirs. That’s why we reach out to help them with compassion.”

He said $800 million a year was spent on ensuring refugees received the a settlement services they needed, and were integrated.

He said for Mr Dutton was arguing we had to take “the number of refugees that we can effectively settle”.

Speaking earlier today in Cairns, Mr Turnbull pointed to “an enormous amount of money” spent settling refugees and teaching English language skills.

“We invest more on settlement than many other countries so it’s very expensive. We don’t begrudge the money. But it’s important to get it right,” Mr Turnbull told reporters.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the Prime Minister’s comments didn’t go far enough.

“Mr Turnbull, if he has any shred of self respect left on this matter, must immediately condemn Mr Dutton’s comments,” Mr Shorten told reporters.

“But of course, I’m sceptical that he will condemn Mr Dutton’s comments because I wonder if Mr Turnbull is actually feeding the lines to Mr Dutton.”

He said Mr Dutton’s remarks were “comments Pauline Hanson would have been proud to make”. This was a reference to the one-time Liberal candidate, who formed a party based on anti-immigration issues, but who has not won an election in 20 years.

“Mr Turnbull needs to come me out and recognise the damage that Mr Dutton’s remarks are making,” Mr Shorten said.

“Mr Dutton didn’t just insult refugees when he made those comments. He insulted millions of

migrants who have contributed to a truly great country.”

Malcolm Turnbull tours the Norship Marine shipyards in Cairns today. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

In an attack on Greens policy to take in 50,000 refugees a year, Mr Dutton, during a rambling appearance on Sky News last night said “many” refugees in Australia were unproductive or working too hard, and he also managed to slip in remarks about Green and Labor associations with a controversial trade union.

“Many (refugee) people, they won’t be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English,” he said.

“And, this is a difficulty because the Greens are very close to the CFMEU, as obviously the Labor Party is, and their affiliations with the union movement are obviously well known.

“Now, these people would be taking Australian jobs. There’s no question about that.”

Mr Turnbull was in Cairns to announce a $24 million shipbuilding project when he was asked about Mr Dutton’s statement.

“We have the most successful multicultural society in the world,” he said.

“We have a very generous humanitarian program, which as you know we are increasing over the next few years to 18,000 a year and of course in addition to that we’re taking 12,000 refugees from the Syrian conflict zone.

There has been a harsh reaction to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s comments on refugees. Picture: Kym Smith

“Now, the reason we are successful is because we invest an enormous amount of money into the settlement services, to make sure that our refugees who come to Australia get the language instruction, all of the support to enable them to integrate into Australian society and move into employment and take up those opportunities.”

Earlier today, Labor’s Chris Bowen demanded Mr Dutton apologise.

“There are hundreds of thousands of refugees in Australia whom have worked hard, who have educated themselves and their children, and they will be shaking their heads at their minister today in disgust, frankly,” the shadow Treasurer and former immigration minister said on

ABC radio today.

“And frankly, if Peter Dutton owes anybody an apology it’s not the Labor Party it’s them — hundreds of thousands of refugees who have made Australia a better place.

“Minister Dutton should come out to Cabramatta High School and see the children of refugees topping the state in maths.

“He should walk around ... the small businesses which have been started by refugees and see the contribution they have made to Australia.”