Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I correct an answer I gave at question time. In answer to a question by Senator Brandis today regarding a visit to Australia by Mr Taji Mustafa, I answered incorrectly. I sought assistance by getting a brief from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and in giving my answer I confused two questions. There was a discussion in 2007 by the then Howard government that they did not intend to proscribe the organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir. But I confused that with a question of a visit to Australia by Mr Taji Mustafa. I incorrectly said the gentleman had visited Australia before, in 2007. I do not have any information as to whether he has visited Australia before. I have taken on notice the question by Senator Brandis to see if the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship can provide more detail and that may well include such information. But I want to be clear in correcting the record I did say he had visited Australia and that was not in my brief. That was incorrect, but I will confirm whether he has or has not as I am just not sure. When I saw the draft Hansard it was clear to me that I had conveyed an impression which is at this stage untested.