Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Ferguson, what I indicated to you in the chamber yesterday was that there had been advice that there was a small group of people outside the detention system and that the AFP had briefed, just before question time, that people had been returned. Today I am advised that the AFP have advised, following a headcount of detainees at the north-west point overnight, that some discrepancies have been identified. As a result, a broader recount is currently being conducted across the facilities on Christmas Island. Up to four people may be unaccounted for, but the work is still in progress and this will take some time. In addition, Christmas Island police continue to undertake expanded patrols within the Christmas Island community.