Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

The counterterrorism laws that we have in Australia today were not in place at the time of the alleged activities of Mr Hicks. We have made it very clear that, if he were to be returned to Australia, he could not be tried accordingly. We have treated this matter seriously. I reject totally that the Prime Minister has been callous in his approach. I reiterate that the Attorney-General met with David Hicks’s father recently. On, I think, some 17 occasions, Australian officials have visited Mr Hicks. In relation to his welfare, there have been two formal investigations carried out by United States authorities and, of course, we will continue to address any request for assistance from his counsel. Major Mori was here in Australia recently, we understand in relation to the conduct of Mr Hicks’s defence, and we stand ready to assist should a mutual assistance request be made to us in relation to any evidence that is sought.