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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Martin and Ben Doherty

PM accused of ‘outright lie’ after claiming detainees in Melbourne hotel are not refugees

Police guard outside the Park hotel in Melbourne, Australia, where pro-refugee signs and writing can be seen on the hotel's walls
Refugees and asylum seekers at the Park hotel have been in detention for almost nine years, having spent time in various onshore and offshore centres. Photograph: Hamish Blair/AP

Human rights advocates have criticised the prime minister, Scott Morrison, after he wrongly claimed those held in detention in Australia for as long as eight years had not been recognised as refugees.

Australia’s harsh border policies have been thrust into the spotlight since the detention of tennis star Novak Djokovic at the notorious Park hotel in Melbourne, where dozens of asylum seekers and refugees are detained indefinitely.

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