Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

We are engaging with Bulgarian immigration authorities to seek clarification about facilitating Mr Palfreeman's ability to depart from Bulgaria. Previously, I have also raised our concerns about his case directly with my Bulgarian counterpart, Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva, on the sidelines of the United Nations. I have followed up that conversation and further conveyed our concerns in writing. I have also raised Mr Palfreeman's case in writing with our European Union counterparts, High Representative Federica Mogherini and EU Vice-President Timmermans, expressing our concern about his long immigration detention following the parole decision. In addition, our officials continue to raise our concerns with senior Bulgarian officials and authorities and the relevant ministers in Bulgaria, and we seek due process to be applied to Mr Palfreeman's matter to enable him to travel to Australia.