Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

It has been a long-agreed process of this parliament both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate that legal advice to government in general terms is not released. Also, in the middle of a matter being determined by the High Court, it would be highly inappropriate for legal advice to be canvassed elsewhere other than in the High Court. In relation to some of the assertions being made about Sri Lanka, it is my understanding that when people are returned to Sri Lanka the police interview them. It is an offence to leave Sri Lanka illegally, but that is a process that is dealt with under Sri Lankan law and in full accordance with Sri Lankan law in a public fashion. 'I do not believe that people are jailed indefinitely on return.' Do you know who said all those words? It was former Minister Bowen—not my words but Labor's minister. (Time expired)