Senate debates

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Questions without Notice

Asylum Seekers

2:07 pm

Photo of Sarah Hanson-YoungSarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. On the night of Monday, 17 February, a young man, Reza Berati, from Iran, was beaten to death on Manus Island while in the care of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. My question is: has the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection contacted Mr Berati's family personally and has he apologised to his relatives?

Photo of Michaelia CashMichaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson-Young for her question. The Minister for Immigration has put on the record the condolences of the government in relation to the death of this person. This is, without a doubt, a tragic situation. Senator Hanson-Young is also aware, through copious questioning of the government through the estimates process, that both the PNG and Australian governments have commissioned reviews into the events of Sunday, 16 February, and Monday, 17 February, at the Manus offshore processing centre.

I can advise the Senate that the PNG authorities, with assistance from Australian specialists, have conducted an autopsy in Port Moresby. The deceased's next of kin have been advised and the Australian government is assisting the family in repatriating his remains and personal effects.

As I stated, this is a tragedy, and the Minister for Immigration has put on the record the condolences of this government.

2:09 pm

Photo of Sarah Hanson-YoungSarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister guarantee to the chamber that the person who killed Reza Berati is no longer working in the immigration detention centre on Manus Island?

Photo of Michaelia CashMichaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | | Hansard source

This is a question that Senator Hanson-Young also asked at the recent Senate estimates hearing. The response that was given at the Senate estimates hearing has not changed. Senator Hanson-Young will be aware that both the PNG and Australian governments have commissioned a review into the events of Sunday, 16 February, and Monday, 17 February 2014, at the Manus Island processing centre. We are currently awaiting the outcome of the review.

Photo of Sarah Hanson-YoungSarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. For the record, at the estimates session the government could not guarantee that the person who killed Reza Berati was no longer in the centre—

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! No, it needs to be a question, Senator Hanson-Young.

Photo of Sarah Hanson-YoungSarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Could the minister explain why the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection did not visit Manus Island on the weekend, despite visiting PNG and Port Moresby?

2:10 pm

Photo of Michaelia CashMichaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | | Hansard source

I think Australians are well aware that this minister has visited Manus Island, Port Moresby and Nauru, more than any other minister for immigration.