Compromise on detention policy reached

Compromise on detention policy reached: "Prime Minister John Howard says he has reached a compromise agreement with rebel Liberal MPs over changes to the Government's mandatory detention policy.

But Mr Howard said the framework of the Government's policy was intact.

'Mandatory detention will remain,' he said.

'We will maintain our strong position on border protection, that is the excision of islands, the maintenance of offshore processing, and ... the policy of turning boats around.'"