Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Those ministers, through the border protection committee, have had responsibility for matters relating to those on the Oceanic Viking. The major immigration issues were handled by me and my department. Relationships with Indonesia and negotiations with the Indonesians were led, obviously, by Mr Smith and our ambassador to Indonesia. Throughout this process we have met on many occasions, earlier as the committee but also in terms of working groups. Yes, staff have been at some of those meetings, as you would expect.