A UN official behind a torture report is not concerned Tony Abbott has dismissed its findings as lecturing.
The report into offshore detention and other asylum-seeker policies, prepared by UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez, found Australia had breached its obligations under the Convention against Torture.
The prime minister brushed it aside saying Australians were sick of being lectured by the UN.
Mr Mendez said he wasn't disappointed by that reaction given some governments didn't respond at all.
"I would rather get an intemperate response rather than no response," he told ABC radio.
"At least we're getting a robust debate."
Mr Mendez said the organisation treated all governments equally and Australia was not being singled out for criticism.
"I'm sorry that (Mr Abbott) considers what we do lecturing," he said, adding he was simply doing his job.
Liberal senator Scott Ryan said Mr Abbott's remark was reasonable given the report failed to credit the government for stopping asylum-seeker boats.
"It's not like the UN human rights council is a beacon of defending human rights when it has members like Cuba on it," the parliamentary secretary told Sky News.
Labor said the government should take the report's finding seriously instead of resorting to a cheap attack on Mr Mendez.
"Abbott should be providing an assurance that all Aust funded facilities are run in a safe, humane and proper manner," opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles tweeted.
Prominent human rights advocate and lawyer Julian Burnside said Mr Abbott's views did not echo those of all Australians.
The prime minister was resorting to bullying tactics in attacking the messenger, instead of addressing the message.
"Bullying ... is regrettable in the schoolyard; it is despicable in a national leader," he wrote in Fairfax Media.
Share
