Eagle, the "ABC Fact Check" in October decreed that effectively there is no difference between the two, "Tow back to Indonesia" and "Turn Back" so why is the ABC up in arms now and calling Tony a liar now when three months ago it was adamant that they are not different policies but rather are simply strategic options contained within the one policy?
"ABC Fact Check takes a look at what the Government's policy will actually mean and whether to "turn back" and "tow back" really are different policies, as Mr Abbott suggests, or simply strategic options contained within the one policy.
The claim: Tony Abbott says there is a world of difference between turning boats around in Australian waters and the Australian Navy towing them back to Indonesia. The verdict: In practical terms, "turn back" and "tow back" are interchangeable depending on the circumstances. Mr Abbott is splitting hairs."
"The Federal Government has been clear about its intention to "turn back" asylum seeker boats "where it is safe to do so". In Prime Minister Tony Abbott's words, MPs have repeated this point until they are "blue in the face".
The media often describes the Government's plans as to "tow back", a term that Mr Abbott and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison say misrepresents their policy. In a media conference held in Indonesia on October 1, Mr Abbott said: "Can I just scotch this idea that the Coalition's policy is or ever has been tow-backs. Our policy... is that we reserve the right to turn boats around where it is safe to do so. There is a world of difference between turning boats around in Australian waters and the Australian Navy towing them back to Indonesia."
ABC Fact Check takes a look at what the Government's policy will actually mean and whether to "turn back" and "tow back" really are different policies, as Mr Abbott suggests, or simply strategic options contained within the one policy.
The claim: Tony Abbott says there is a world of difference between turning boats around in Australian waters and the Australian Navy towing them back to Indonesia. The verdict: In practical terms, "turn back" and "tow back" are interchangeable depending on the circumstances. Mr Abbott is splitting hairs."
