Mercatique

LABOR has attempted to censure the Prime Minister over the Coalition’s refusal to confirm if it paid off people smugglers to return an asylum boat to Indonesia.

The issue reached a head in parliamentary Question Time today when the opposition repeatedly pressed the Coalition over the matter.

In multiple questions to Tony Abbott, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, Labor pressed the Coalition on if they paid $US30,000 to people smugglers to return asylum-seekers back to Indonesia.

Mr Abbott, Ms Bishop and Mr Dutton all cited “intelligence,security and operational matters” in their refusal to answer the questions.

Launching the suspension of standing orders to censure the PM, manager of opposition business Tony Burke said the government was in “absolute chaos”.“We have no choice but to suspend standing orders when we have a situation where that man is physically incapable of answering a question,” Mr Burke said.

“Australian taxpayers have a right to know where their money is spent. Australian taxpayers have a right to know, in particular, if their money is going to the most vile trade that both sides of this chamber have made the strongest comments against.”

Mr Burke’s motion was seconded by opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles.

“What we now need to hear from the PM is a clear statement, a clear statement of clarity about whether or not people smugglers were paid to take people back to Indonesia,” Mr Marles said.

“Otherwise he is leaving out there the kind of inducement for people smugglers to get on the water, turn up next to an Australian navy vessel and demand payment.”

Tony Abbott is coming under increasing criticism over the incident, with Indonesia said to be furious over the matter.

The PM and his senior ministers have all refused to confirm whether or not any such payment was made.

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