CANBERRA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hailed his government's border protection policy as the "best in the world", ahead of an international summit on migration and refugees in New York.
Speaking to reporters before jetting off to the United States on Sunday, Turnbull said that Australia's "stop the boats" philosophy, coupled with its humanitarian and refugee intake programs, were the "right responses" to the growing challenges posed by refugees and those seeking to flee conflict and persecution.
"Our policy on border protection is the best in the world," Turnbull told the press on Sunday.
"Public opinion will not accept a generous humanitarian program, a substantial migration program, unless the government is seen to be in command of its borders."
The Prime Minister said while the government was criticized for its seemingly harsh offshore detention policy and its refugee intake which is well below that of other Western nations such as Canada, Turnbull added that Australia had avoided evidence of 'uncontrolled migration flows' which, in turn, have caused destabilization in places such as Germany and France.
Although Turnbull talked up Australia's policies, he said he would not be "telling anyone else how to run their country".
The PM's comments have come at an interesting time, as his Immigration Minister admitted the government made mistakes when setting up its controversial offshore detention center.
Last week, a report from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) laid out concerns over the government's lack of consideration while it hastily set up detention centers on Nauru.
It detailed a number of concerns about the contracting of welfare, catering, security and cleaning services. It said the Immigration Department chose to accept a contract with Broadspectrum which ended up over-budget by more than 750 million U.S dollars. It also said the government refused to seek alternative quotes.
On Sunday, Dutton admitted the government did make mistakes, but said the it had just a "couple of weeks" to set up the centers as a result of the previous, Gillard government's policy.
"(Former PM Julia) Gillard at the time made an announcement that people would go to Nauru and things had to be set up within a couple of weeks," Dutton told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Sunday.
"So let's put it in context... yes I'm sure mistakes were made and decisions were rushed."
Turnbull will discuss refugees with other leaders at the United Nations (UN) meeting in New York on Monday.
