Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I would like to make a brief statement in relation to this matter. At the outset, I feel obliged to inform the Senate that there are legal proceedings before the courts on related matters. As Senator Nettle well knows, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs wrote to a number of officials seeking clarification of evidence given in relation to Mamdouh Habib’s detention. Those officials have responded in detail, confirming the accuracy of their evidence. In addition, those officials have offered to address any outstanding concerns the committee may have in relation to their evidence. Rather than identifying a specific concern, Senator Nettle has elected to stand up in the Senate with this motion. One can only assume that her real concern is not in resolving a real issue in a practical way but rather to grandstand in this place. Nevertheless, we do not oppose the reference and will support due process being exhausted.