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

Thank you very much, Mr President. Following from the Prime Minister's comments in the House of Representatives, I am very pleased to advise the Senate that young Australian Mr Alek Sigley has today been released from detention in North Korea. He is safe and he is well. Swedish authorities advised the Australian government that they met with senior officials from the DPRK yesterday and raised the issue of Alek's disappearance on Australia's behalf. Earlier this morning we were advised that the DPRK had released Alek from detention. He has now safely left the country.

On behalf of the Australian government, may I express our deepest gratitude to Swedish authorities for their prompt and invaluable assistance in securing Alek's prompt release. The outcome does demonstrate the value of careful, behind-the-scenes, discreet work of officials in resolving complex and sensitive consular cases such as this, in close partnership with other governments. I won't be making further comment on this matter, out of respect for Alek's privacy and that of his family, but I can say that his father has been advised, he is enormously relieved and grateful, and the family have asked that we convey their thanks to everyone who has helped and expressed support for them over the past several days. I thank the Senate.