Michael Pezzullo, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, during a Senate estimates hearing at Parliament House. CANBERRA -- A fiery exchange in Parliament over Australian's heavily criticised offshore detention program has lead to the head of Immigration Department Mike Pezzullo joking about torture. Pezzullo was being quizzed by Greens senator Nick McKim in a senate estimates hearing on Monday over the imminent closure of the Manus Island regional processing centre. The government confirms that basic services at its Manus Island prison will be cut off, despite 600 men refusing to leave. Pezzullo claims there the refugees refusing to leave the Manus centre are being "animated" by a "vigorous campaign" by activists that they might come to Australia.

Source: Huffington Post October 23, 2017 03:45 UTC