Fed: Cattle prods never used to control refugees: Houston
The acting head of the Defence Force says navy and army personnel never used cattleprods to control asylum seekers.
Air Marshal ANGUS HOUSTON says capsicum spray has only been used once, and that wasto control asylum seekers intent on disabling a boat engine.
He also rejected suggestions naval staff denied medical treatment to asylum seekers.
The ABC's Four Corners program this week aired allegations that naval personnel usedprods, capsicum spray and excessive force to control asylum seekers.
It also said authorities denied hospital treatment to a woman bleeding after childbirthand refused to help immigrants suffering diarrhoea or dehydration.
But Air Marshal HOUSTON says he and senior defence officials checked through recordsto determine the validity of the program's claims.
He told the Senate inquiry into the children overboard affair that it's quite clearthere was no use of any electrical cattle prod-type implements.
He says asylum seekers may have mistaken metal detectors for something like a cattle prod.
He added that no asylum seeker would be denied medical treatment if it it's warranted.
AAP RTV sw/jas/
KEYWORD: BOAT HOUSTON (CANBERRA)
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