Peter Dutton Says Asylum Seeker Women Are Claiming To Have Been Raped Just To Get To Australia
"I think there are some people that have come of bad character, I don't think there's any question about that."
Just when you thought he couldn’t sink any lower, actual monster Peter Dutton has said asylum seeker women on Manus and Nauru have been using claims that they were raped and needed an abortion as a ploy to get transferred to Australia.
“Some people are trying it on, let’s be serious about this,” Dutton told Sky News yesterday. “There are people that have claimed that they’ve been raped, and came to Australia to seek an abortion because they couldn’t get an abortion on Nauru.”
“They arrived in Australia, and then decided that they were not going to have an abortion. They have the baby here, the moment they step off the plane their lawyers lodge papers in the federal court which injuncts us from sending them back.”
“In some of those cases, I think you could question whether or not people needed medical attention. That’s the reality,” he said.
This is not the first time that Dutton has decided a woman is using or concocting a medical issue for some kind of power grab. It’s also not the first time he’s accused asylum seekers of self-harming, or making false allegations of sexual assault, in order to reach Australia. And honestly, people are pretty disgusted.
monster. https://t.co/khASr7fgC3
— Scott Ludlam (@Scottludlam) June 20, 2019
This is one of the most obscene & grubby statements I have seen from @peterduttonMP. I’ve acted for women who were raped and had to come here for terminations. Their lives were violated and destroyed under his watch. This retraumatises them again #auspol https://t.co/6dVxqwCIwW
— Prof George Newhouse (@GeorgeNewhouse) June 20, 2019
Dutton made the comments on Sky yesterday as part of an argument against the recently-introduced medivac legislation, which the Government is currently seeking to overturn.
The medivac bill, which passed in February after it was introduced to Parliament by Kerryn Phelps, aims to make sure asylum seekers detained offshore are evacuated to Australia for medical care when they need it. It’s the bill that requires the government to transfer a person in offshore detention to Australia for medical treatment if two doctors recommend doing so.
Around 30 people have been brought to Australia under the medivac legislation, compared to a total of more than 1000 people who have been transferred to Australia under the pre-existing medical transfer process. Speaking to Sky, Dutton insisted that the medivac bill has resulted in a number of irresponsible transfers, but also insisted that he’s unfamiliar with the specifics of the cases involved.
“When you look at the advocacy background of some of the doctors who are involved, then I do think you need to start asking questions,” Dutton said. “These aren’t two government doctors, they aren’t panel-appointed doctors, they are any two GPs, and as we know, as you know, there are many activists working for refugee groups right across the country, that don’t believe in offshore processing.”
“It’s a bad law; it should be revoked.”
Back when the medivac legislation was being debated, Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton claimed that it would lead to “rapists, paedophiles and murderers” being transferred to Australia. When Dutton was asked yesterday whether any rapists, paedophiles or murderers were amongst the 30 people transferred to Australia so far, he said that “we’ll have a look at the details in due course”.
“I think there are some people that have come of bad character, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” he added, giving absolutely no evidence to back up that statement.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says on Sky he's sure there's people of bad character who have come to Australia under the medevac laws.
When pressed, says details of who are something to look at in due course.
If there's such concern, why aren't those details available now?
— Matthew Doran (@MattDoran91) June 20, 2019
The government will attempt to repeal the medivac laws next month, and it’s close to having the support it needs to do so. Jacqui Lambie may end up having the deciding vote in the Senate, and Kerryn Phelps has contacted her to ask her to stand firm and support the laws.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.