Conflicting stories at cash-for-turnbacks inquiry

By Nicole Hasham
Updated February 6 2016 - 2:08am, first published 1:43am
Michael Pezzullo, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and Major-General Andrew Bottrell, Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Task Force, appear before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.  Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Michael Pezzullo, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and Major-General Andrew Bottrell, Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Task Force, appear before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
One of six: Money Indonesian police say was used to pay people traffickers. Photo: Supplied
One of six: Money Indonesian police say was used to pay people traffickers. Photo: Supplied
Major-General Andrew Bottrell (right), of Operation Sovereign Borders, at the hearing. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Major-General Andrew Bottrell (right), of Operation Sovereign Borders, at the hearing. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The boat was stocked with provisions and the crew was skilled. When Australian officials boarded, the vessel was not in distress, and had not asked for help. Authorities mistreated the passengers, then handed over $US32,000 ($A44,500) to make the problem go away.