Statements
George Brandis Says Asylum Seekers Break The Law, But Can’t Name Which One
Attorney-General George Brandis clashed with barrister and human rights advocate Julian Burnside on the legality of asylum seekers after he said refugees who come to Australia commit “offences against our migration laws”.
Brandis called any refugee who arrives “in the hands of people smugglers” unlawful when quizzed by Burnside on the ABC’s Q&A on Monday night about whether or not he believed asylum seekers were committing a crime.
“Attorney-General, as the senior law officer of the country, do you believe that asylum seekers who come to Australia commit any offence?” Burnside asked.
“Yes, I do,” Brandis responded.
“What offence do they commit? Which?” Burnside went on.
“They commit offences against our migration laws. I’m not going to quote a section,” Brandis shot back.
“Because there isn’t one. You are wrong,” Burnside responded.
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Huffington Post