House debates Questions without Notice
National Security
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:31 pm
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. I refer the minister to the fact that ASIO informed the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of the presence of a convicted Egyptian jihadist terrorist being held in low-security family accommodation on 30 August 2012. Why didn't the minister know about this serious breach of security until April this year, when his predecessor had been told on 28 September, seven months earlier?
Brendan O'Connor Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
I thank the honourable member for his question. I first refer him to the statement I made just before question time in relation to those matters. As I made clear in parliament last night, I received information for the very first time with respect to this matter on 17 April. That brief went to the transfer of the person in question from one centre to the other. Of course, that was the appropriate thing to do.
What I said throughout the course of the questions put to me in relation to this matter—
Ms Anna Burke Speaker
The minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
Madam Speaker, the question did not seek a chronology; it asked why he was not informed for seven months after his predecessor—
Ms Anna Burke Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The minister has the call.
Brendan O'Connor Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
What I have said in relation to this matter when being asked questions is that at all times our agencies have worked together—that is, ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. As a result, this person has been in detention at all times.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:32 pm
Speaker, I ask a supplementary question to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. If the minister believes that the low-security facility in South Australia was appropriate for a convicted jihadist terrorist, why was he immediately moved to a high-security facility when the minister was advised of his presence?
Brendan O'Connor Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:33 pm
I thank the honourable member for his question. As I indicated, I was briefed for the very first time on this matter on 17 April and the brief went to the transfer of that person from one centre to a centre that was, indeed, a more secure centre. That was the appropriate thing to do by the department upon the advice of the agencies.