Defence chief disputes asylum-seeker claim

Indonesia's military head has discussed Tony Abbott's boat policy with Australia's defence chief. Source: AAP

DEFENCE chief General David Hurley has rejected claims Australian navy personnel mistreated asylum seekers, while not denying reports that boats were towed back to Indonesia.

General Hurley says Defence personnel conduct themselves in a "humane and considerate" way while protecting Australia's borders, contrary to the claims of the asylum seekers who say members of the navy verbally and physically mistreated them.

One, 28-year-old Yousif Ibrahim of Sudan, told news agency AFP they were handcuffed and called insulting names during a voyage back to Indonesia this month.

"We asked for water, they didn't want to give us," he said.

"They called us inhuman words, like illegal refugees, monkeys from Africa."

General Hurley did not confirm the tow-back operation took place, but he issued a statement disputing the asylum seekers' account.

"Defence Force personnel assigned to Operation Resolute are required to conduct operations in an unpredictable and demanding environment under intense scrutiny," he said.

"They are trained to operate with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity and consistently demonstrate great compassion and courage, often at great risk to their own safety."

Conflicting messages are coming from Indonesia about its views of Australia's turn-back policy, with Indonesian military commander General Moeldoko saying he has discussed the measure with General Hurley in recent weeks.

"Therefore, we do not need to feel offended," the Jakarta Post quoted Moeldoko as saying.

His apparent sanction of the policy contradicts the opposition of Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who on Tuesday said turn-backs were "not a solution".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday defended the government's secrecy about asylum-seeker operations.

He said he preferred to be a "closed book" than give rise to "mischief-making".

"The point is not to provide sport for public discussion, the point is to stop the boats," Mr Abbott told Macquarie Radio.

"I'm pleased to say it is now several weeks since we've had a boat, and the less we talk about operational details on the water, the better when it comes to stopping the boats."

But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was time Mr Abbott told the public what was happening.

"The government needs to stop hiding the truth and start answering the most basic questions," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Nauru has confirmed the cost of a media visa is set to soar from $200 to $8000.

Labor and the Greens have questioned whether the hike is designed to deter Australian reporters from visiting the tiny island's controversial Australian-run detention centre, linking it to the Abbott government's secretive approach.

But a Nauru government spokeswoman says the change - yet to come into force - is for "revenue purposes".

Asked whether the Australian government requested the change, she told AAP: "I haven't been told anything to suggest that."

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