New probe into 'asylum abuse'
Border protection officials will carry out another internal investigation into claims Australian navy personnel deliberately burnt the hands of asylum seekers.
The decision on a new probe came as Tony Abbott declared the Government would not release video of the incident because it did not want to do anything that might "cast aspersions" on the navy or Customs.
Fairfax media yesterday published new and detailed allegations from asylum seekers that navy members forced the hands of three men against hot engine pipes during an operation to turn a boat back earlier this year.
It was claimed the men had been punished for protesting and to deter others from going to the toilet too often. The Prime Minister has repeatedly denied any abuse took place and has blasted the ABC for reporting the claims.
But the Government has refused to give details of what steps were taken to investigate the incident, telling reporters they should give the navy the "benefit of the doubt" when it comes to claims of wrongdoing.
The West Australian understands Customs will now lead an internal review.
Senior Defence Department figures remain convinced the claims are untrue and have suggested the asylum seekers may have burnt their hands while trying to disable the boat's engine.
Incredible footage emerged yesterday apparently showing asylum seekers aboard a lifeboat being towed back to Indonesia by the Customs vessel Triton. The video, obtained by Seven News and the ABC, was filmed by asylum seekers on mobile phones.
The West Australian revealed last month the Government had bought a fleet of small lifeboats to tow back asylum seekers who arrived in Australian waters on unseaworthy boats.
Mr Abbott yesterday dismissed calls to release surveillance footage of the turn-back operation in which the asylum seekers claimed to have been abused. "I don't want to do anything that might complicate that task of stopping the boats and frankly I don't want to do anything that would cast aspersions on the professionalism of our naval and customs personnel," he said.
Defence Minister David Johnston has said there should be a "detailed inquiry" into the ABC's coverage of the issue.
