
By Sarah Sedghi and Naomi Woodley
Labor has attacked the Federal Government over its response to an independent review into allegations of sexual abuse by asylum seekers on Nauru, after Tony Abbott said institutions “aren’t perfect”.
The Moss review sets out claims of sexual harassment and abuse, including three allegations of rape, inside the Australian-funded immigration detention centre.
The report found the testimony of asylum seekers was credible and convincing, although its veracity could not be verified.
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When Prime Minister Tony Abbott was asked about the Government’s response to the review on Macquarie Radio yesterday afternoon he said; “Occasionally, I dare say, things happen.”
“Because in any institution you get things that, occasionally, aren’t perfect,” Mr Abbott said.
Labor’s Immigration spokesman Richard Marles criticised the remark, while calling the actions of the Government a “disgrace”.
“This Prime Minister needs to think before he speaks,” said Mr Marles.
“The Prime Minister and his Government need to take responsibility.
“This is a Government more concerned about the potential for protest than it is about the sexual assault of minors. This is a Government which has lost its moral compass.”
However, this afternoon Mr Abbott described the findings as “very disturbing”.