Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

I seek indulgence to advise the House of additional information that has been drawn to my attention following an answer I gave in the Federation Chamber during consideration in detail last night. I was advised that the former minister for immigration was not briefed on the matter of the Egyptian detainee. I was subsequently advised that the former minister's office received a submission relating to this matter on 28 September 2012. The submission was not signed by the minister.

This submission related to the complex issues surrounding the detainee's capacity to apply for a protection visa. The department has advised me that the submission held by the former minister's office was not returned to the department by the then minister's office. I can confirm that this submission was not provided to me or my office upon appointment as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The department has also advised that this submission relating to this detainee's capacity to apply for a protection visa has not been resubmitted to me.

No matters relating to the detainee were raised with me or my office prior to 17 April 2013, as I advised the parliament last night. The brief of 17 April 2013 related to the movement of this detainee from Inverbrackie to Villawood detention facility. I also advise the House that the detainee was always in detention for his entire period since arriving in Australia.

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