Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Home Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   The 'back pocket briefs' regarding missing vessels that are referred to in Federal Agent Erica Merrin's email are part of the materials prepared within the agency to support Customs and Border Protection's appearance before the February 2012 Additional Estimates hearings. Typically these briefs contain information regarding possible questions that may be raised during the Estimates hearing. In this instance, the briefings covered key issues pertaining to alleged missing vessels of October 2009 and November 2010, and four foundered vessels between November 2011 and February 2012.

(2)   The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have advised the answer to this question is Yes.

(3)   AMSA have advised that in a telephone call from AMSA to BARSANAS on 2 October 2009, AMSA's rescue coordination centre operator advised BASARNAS of details of a vessel in distress in position 06 55S 104 58E. The term 'new vessel' is used to draw attention to BASARNAS that the information does not relate to any previous incidents or advice from AMSA.