Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McGrath for his question. We welcome the Thai government's decision to allow Mr al-Araibi to return to Australia. We know that all Australians deeply appreciate the decision allowing him to return to his wife, his family and friends. I want to commend the Thai government's commitment to due process and to human rights, which has led the government to take this decision. We know it was not an easy decision. The issue was not of Thailand's making. The circumstances in relation to this matter have been subject to a review.

I also want to thank the Thai immigration and prison officials for facilitating regular access by the Australian embassy to Mr al-Araibi throughout his detention. I'm proud of the extensive efforts of the Australian government, with the support of so many actors in the Australian and international community, in bringing Mr al-Araibi home. I would like to thank the Australian diplomatic network: officials in our embassies in Bangkok and Riyadh, which has representation to Bahrain, and in DFAT Canberra, who have worked behind the scenes for months to secure Mr al-Araibi's release. I also want to acknowledge the members of this chamber and of the other place for their engagement with me on this issue—in this chamber: Senator Wong and Senator Di Natale; and in the other place: Mr Bert van Manen, the member for Forde, with Senator Watt, in their co-convening of the parliamentary football group.

This welcome outcome is thanks in large part to the strength and depth of our relationships with both Thailand and Bahrain over decades. The outpouring of support from the Pascoe Vale Football Club to the advocacy of Mr Craig Foster, Football Federation Australia, FIFA, the IOC, Australian athletes within the Olympic family, the United Nations and so many other human rights groups and so many other Australians is a testament to how deeply Mr al-Araibi's situation has touched Australians.