Peter Dutton defends decision to let Tony Abbott travel overseas

Home affairs minister attacks state border closures, saying there is no equivalence with denying permission to leave Australia on compassionate grounds

Peter Dutton has defended the decision to allow Tony Abbott to travel to the UK, while hundreds of Australians are fighting for permission to leave the country on compassionate grounds.

The Morrison government closed Australia's international borders in March. Since then, thousands of Australians have fought to prove they have compelling and compassionate" reasons to travel, with at least 20% of applications rejected.