A spokesperson for the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection has refuted claims that Scott Morrison is using Manus Island as a source for cheap “carnival operators” for a theme park called “Morrison-Land”, which it also denied existed.

“The Australian Government does not comment on matters associated with detention matters undertaken as part of Operation Sovereign Borders. However, as has been stated on many occasions, personnel involved in border protection operations, including the minister himself, conduct their roles with the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and personal courage in all matters, including theme park-related matters.”

The Minister also used today’s Question Time to attack the claims: “Here we have scurrilous claims from the opposition, accusing me of using children in detention centres to run fairy floss machines, to power a Death-Icane Rollercoaster even though Papua New Guinea’s building restrictions wouldn’t allow the construction of a death fall tall enough? The opposition, Madame Speaker, makes the untenable claim that I call this so called Amusement Park ‘Morrison-Land’, despite the fact that everyone knows a better name for the park would be ‘Scott’s Berry Farm’.

“The fact of the matter is since this government began turning back the boats, there has not been a single death at sea. This government has protected our borders safely, effectively and sustainably, Madame Speaker, and as a result, the opposition has to resort baseless and fantastic claims.”

The (un)Australian submitted a request to the minister’s office for clarification on who is actually making these accusations but has not received a response as of publishing.

Matthew Farthing
https://twitter.com/MattJFarthing

Categories: News, Politics

Tags: asylum seekers, Manus Island, Matthew Farthing, Scott Morrison, theme parks