Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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.