Peter Dutton’s Refugee Policy “Hypocritical” and “Evil”, Costello Claims

Tim Costello has labelled Peter Dutton a “smear on history” in a speech given at the Palm Sunday Refugee March, held at the State Library yesterday.

Rohingya refugees fleeing the alleged ethnic cleansing in Myanmar was the focus of Costello’s speech, speaking alongside an interfaith panel of representative religious figures.

“The sheer malevolence of our government to practise uncertainty and torture on our refugees can only be described as evil,” Costello said.

About 5,000 people attended the event in its fifth consecutive year according to organisers Chris Breen and Margaret Sinclair.

Sinclair said the turnout was smaller, but angrier than previous years as “die-hards” return “until there is justice, peace and security for people in detention centres”.

The march following the speeches was led by a police escort down Swanson and La Trobe street, as protesters held signs addressing Mr Dutton.

Mr Dutton told News Corp earlier in March he wished to prioritise humanitarian visas for white South African farmers facing violence.

“We have the potential to help some of these people that are being persecuted," Dutton told the ABC.

Costello said Rohingya detained on Manus island and Nauru were in greater need of fast-tracked visas, and the South African government “isn’t persecuting” white farmers.

Peter Dutton declined to comment.