Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I have to say, Senator, that I will give you the benefit of the doubt in terms of the question. Some very serious allegations have been made in relation to Mr Guy Campos. Obviously, the government treats allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity extremely seriously. It is the case that there has been public discussion of Mr Campos, who is alleged to have committed war crimes in East Timor during the 1990s. This is in the Minister for Home Affairs’ portfolio. I am advised that the AFP is currently investigating allegations made against Mr Campos.

Generally in relation to the allegation of war crimes, whether in relation to Mr Campos or not, there are often complex legal and factual issues that need to be carefully considered by our law enforcement agencies. Investigation and prosecution decisions are clearly matters for the AFP and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, as independent statutory authorities. Therefore, some of the matters to which I think Senator Fielding referred may well be matters that are within the purview of the Australian Federal Police or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.