David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Can the minister inform the House when he or his office last had contact with Dr Jamal Rifi concerning the repatriation of ISIS sympathisers?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It would be many, many months since I've had a conversation with Dr Jamal Rifi on that particular issue—very many months since I've had a conversation on that.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Casey is going to leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Casey then left the chamber.

This continual—

Government members interjecting—

Order! Members on my right are not helping the situation. This continual conversation, non-stop, during answers is not going to continue. The minister in continuation.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What followed, the last time that I think Dr Jamal Rifi was present at a meeting I had on this issue, was a letter from Save the Children, who were also at that meeting, which included this sentence: 'We are deeply disappointed with this decision to refuse assistance to Australians in trouble overseas.'

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We'll just be clear. The minister was asked a question about an individual. He was giving information to the House about the individual and the meeting he had, so there's no way he could be any more directly relevant than he was.