Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. As we know, there were injured passengers on SIEV36. They have since been discharged from hospital. We also know that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship had provided visas for those that were on board. This is a very tragic event, of course. This was very difficult for our personnel who were involved. It was a very difficult time for those people on that particular vessel. These matters have been subject to the Northern Territory coronial inquiry. They have also been subject to investigation by the Northern Territorian police. I am advised that the decision made by the department of immigration in relation to the visas of these people has been made in consultation with the police.

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