Fed: PM defends Worth for comparing asylum seekers to animals

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2004
Fed: PM defends Worth for comparing asylum seekers to animals

CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today defended Parliamentary Secretary
for Health Trish Worth who compared the detention of asylum seekers with the quarantine
rules for live animals.

Ms Worth told a forum on asylum seekers in her marginal seat of Adelaide that none
of her colleagues liked detaining anyone, and then mentioned dogs and cats being imported
from some countries before she was shouted down.

She then said certain tests and health checks needed to be carried out.

Mr Howard said Ms Worth's comments had been beaten up by her opponents.

"I thought she was simply making the point they if you come to Australia there have
to be tests made," he told Brisbane radio 4BC.

"I think it was just a beat up by her own opponent.

"I certainly know Trish Worth very well and can I tell you she is very, very compassionate
towards refugees.

"She is one of the people in the party who was pushing very hard for temporary protection
visas and she's the last person who you could hang that sort of tag on."

AAP pj/sw/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: POLL04 WORTH HOWARD

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