Separating fact from fiction where the immigration department fell short

1. Separating fact from fiction where the immigration department fell short

2. The head of Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Michael Pezzullo, on Tuesday released a lengthy statement “separating fact from fiction” about the offshore detention and processing network he oversees.His reason for doing so was the reputation of his department and its officers. Abyan reports being 'scared' after Chris Kenny's Nauru visit, immigration emails reveal Read more Pezzullo often takes issue with what is said by those who disagree with immigration policy, as well as with the language used by those who report on it. Nothing in his statement, however, constitutes “fiction” as opposed to an opinion or analysis differing from his own. Because the department refuses to engage with the media – and through them the public – information comes from unofficial sources, which are no less trustworthy and oftentimes are more trusty than government statements. The public’s wish for transparency and Pezzullo’s wish for 100% accuracy could both be fulfilled if media were allowed into detention and processing centres to report. Pezzullo may prefer the media to simply stop writing about the topic at all, but that’s simply not going to happen.