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

I thank Senator Fierravanti-Wells for her question. I made clear yesterday that the management of the Oceanic Viking issue had been the responsibility of the border protection committee. The border protection committee contains the ministers who have direct responsibility for those matters.

I also indicated that there was a series of meetings of ministers and staff who helped to deal with the day-to-day management of the issues. The lead ministers in that regard were Mr Smith, the foreign affairs minister; Mr O’Connor, the Minister for Home Affairs and Customs and border protection; and me, as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. I also made it clear that there were a number of officials and staff in attendance at various meetings. They conducted the—