John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I have just checked to see if I have any detail on follow-on activity by the department in relation to the Britt Lapthorne case. I am afraid I have to indicate that I believe I do not have information specifically on that matter. I can say that I took up directly with the Minister for Foreign Affairs the issues Senator Fielding and others raised at the Senate estimates. I drew those to his attention. I will undertake to find out for you what specific actions on this matter the department has taken in its internal arrangements and I will come back to you at the earliest opportunity. Specifically in relation to the Britt Lapthorne matter, I do not want to provide any information to the Senate that is not accurate. This is a case that has had very significant ramifications. Ms Lapthorne’s family, as Senator Fielding is aware, have had an extraordinarily difficult time. It is something that I know the foreign minister has taken a very close interest in. (Time expired)