Dutton Questioned Over 'Fake Refugees' Claim

Federal immigration minister Peter Dutton was asked to repeat his reported claim there were 7,500 “fake refugees” in Australia during a sitting of parliament on Monday, May 22.

The government had previously said those seeking refugee status would face a four-month deadline to seek protection as refugees and attain refugee status.

“Are you prepared to repeat to this parliament the misleading statement today that those 7,500 people are fake refugees?” Greens MP Adam Bandt asked.

Dutton accused some of not providing necessary information to the government in their bid for a protection visa.

“There are some people to which the member refers who have taken a decision that they have not provided information as requested, despite numerous requests by officials in my department. They have not provided information in relation to the claim that they’re making, unlike thousands before them who do provide that detail so that we can properly consider those cases,” Dutton said. “And I have said that by the first of October, if they don’t have details provided to us, Mr Speaker, we are not going to tolerate that situation going forward.” Credit: Facebook/Adam Bandt via Storyful