Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull has defended Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's controversial comments over 'illiterate' refugees, as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten accused him of insulting Australia's great migrant history. More in this report by Themi Kallos.
Following is the report by SBS newsroom:
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has staunchly defended Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's response to proposals to significantly increase Australia's refugee intake.
Mr Dutton said many refugees are 'illiterate' and 'innumerate' and would 'take Australian jobs'.
Heavily quizzed on the comments while campaigning in Cairns, the Prime Minister said Australia's refugee intake policy was "one of compassion".
"Peter Dutton has been an outstanding Immigration Minister," Mr Turnbull said.
"This is no criticism. People that are coming out of the war ravaged areas, out of the horn of Africa and other places in the world, of course they have - many of them have never been employed.
"Many of them have not had much education. Many of them are illiterate in their own languages."
