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

I thank Senator Fielding for the question. He did ask me a question earlier this year in relation to Mr Campos. I would like to start by expressing what I am sure everybody in the chamber would agree with, which is that these are tragic events. The allegations of what has occurred, and in particular the death of Francisco Ximenes, have been the subject of public discussion and no doubt continue to be extremely difficult for his family. As I have previously indicated, allegations such as these do give rise to complex legal and factual issues. I have previously indicated—I think in this place to you, Senator Fielding—that the AFP is currently investigating allegations relating to the conduct of Mr Campos in the 1990s. But I reiterate that under our system decisions in relation to investigation, arrest or prosecution of any individual are matters for the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, who are the independent statutory authorities. These are not decisions for ministers or for the government. I again express to you that that is as it should be within our system of law.