House debates Questions without Notice

Human Rights: Torture

Monday, 18 November 2013 House of Representatives

Tanya Plibersek

Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

2:04 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's comments deploring torture at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka where he then added: 'We accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen.' Prime Minister, what are the difficult things and what are the difficult circumstances?

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

I thank the member opposite for her question. I simply reiterate that the Australian government deplores the use of torture—always has and always will.