Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 19 April 2012:

With reference to the documents released under freedom of information (FOI) laws to journalist Natalie O'Brien of The Sun-Herald:

(1)   What are the 'back pocket briefs' regarding missing boats, as requested in an email from Australian Federal Police Agent Erica Merrin from the People Smuggling Operations Coordination Team to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

(2)   Does the notation 'O/H Calls to Xmas Island from VSl', contained in the document note written on Rescue Coordination Centre note-paper from CJW to John Young of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, dated 3 October 2009, mean 'overheard calls'; if not, what is the meaning of the notation.

(3)   What does the reference to 'new vessel' in distress mean in the emergency response note from PWG to BASARNAS dated 3 October 2009.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to 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.