Dutton refuses to reveal information over Manus incident

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton won't reveal the information he has, which has seen him contradict Papua New Guinea's version of events on Manus Island.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has claimed the violence on Manus Island was triggered by concerns for a local boy.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has claimed the violence on Manus Island was triggered by concerns for a local boy. Source: AAP

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton came under fire for his suggestion the shooting on Manus Island was as a result of three asylum seekers leading a five-year-old boy towards the detention centre.

Reports from the navy and police in Papua New Guinea don't mention a child, and in fact blame the shooting on a football field incident that escalated.
Mr Dutton yesterday staunchly defended his version of events, saying he had extra information that isn't public.

Pressed on what exactly that information is, the Immigration Minister refused to reveal it.

"I receive confidential briefings, I receive classified information from the commissioner of the Australian Border Force and the department, and I am not going to release that information publicly," Mr Dutton told Sky News.

"There is an investigation underway."

The Manus provincial police commander, David Yapu, contradicted Mr Dutton's version of events, saying the violence at the compound and the incident involving the child were two separate incidents.

Mr Dutton has stood by his position however, saying the account he had been given was "true" and that he has different information to the police commander.

Dutton demands apology from ABC, Fairfax




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Published 26 April 2017 11:15am
Source: SBS News


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