MINISTER DIVIDES
PROTESTERS almost outnumbered attendees at an invite-only community forum in Geelong yesterday, featuring Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
The federal MP spoke to about 50 attendees at the Highton Bowls Club, discussing the nation’s immigration policies alongside Corangamite federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson.
Mr Dutton was met with boos and jeers from dozens of protesters at the front of the bowls club when he arrived.
Combined Refugee Action Group spokeswoman Lisa Gleeson said the group was “deeply concerned” that the community forum was only open to those invited by Ms Henderson.
“Any process by which ministers and MPs engage with the wider community in order to explore questions about national security must surely include as wide an audience as possible,” Ms Gleeson said.
“Otherwise one might be led to believe that events like today are less about engaging with people’s concerns and more about delivering a predetermined message to one’s friends about an agenda already decided on.”
During the forum, Mr Dutton spoke about making tough decisions in securing the nation’s borders.
“We have taken some tough decisions and not everyone agrees with us, as demonstrated today,” Mr Dutton said.
“We need to be very clear