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Bill Shorten criticised for talking up NZ as an option for Manus Island refugees

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sun, 10 Dec 2017, 2:56PM
Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten met Jacinda Ardern last night (Image / Getty Images)
Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten met Jacinda Ardern last night (Image / Getty Images)

Bill Shorten criticised for talking up NZ as an option for Manus Island refugees

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sun, 10 Dec 2017, 2:56PM

Bill Shorten has been criticised for talking up New Zealand as an option for Manus Island refugees when he hasn't had a security briefing on the matter.

The Australian opposition leader dined with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland last night where he was expected to discuss her offer of taking 150 refugees from Manus Island, which has already been rejected by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Speaking to journalists beforehand, Mr Shorten said while it was up to the Australian government, it was something he thought was worth looking at closely.

READ MORE: Jacinda Ardern and Bill Shorten meet in Auckland

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton today wouldn't rule New Zealand out as a future option but said now is the wrong time.

He said that some refugees who were potentially destined to leave detention under the arrangement with the US are saying they would rather go to New Zealand.

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