Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
2:55 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Fifield. On 7 June 2015, Minister Dutton used his ministerial powers to intervene to issue a tourist visa to a person who was detained at the Brisbane International Airport for being an unlawful noncitizen. How exactly was Minister Dutton's intervention in the public interest, as he has claimed in a document before this parliament? What were the person's ongoing needs that Minister Dutton has claimed justified his intervention?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
2:56 pm
I thank Senator McKim for his question. I'm advised that this matter is currently before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal—
Scott Ryan President
Senator Fifield, please resume your seat. We are 13 seconds into the answer. Senator McKim on a point of order?
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
Scott Ryan President
Senator McKim, you are not raising a point of order, and you know that. Senator Fifield.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
Thank you, Mr President. I'm simply endeavouring, through you, to share with Senator McKim the facts that I am aware of. As I was saying, I'm advised that this matter is currently before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and I don't have anything else to add. Should that change, I'll certainly do so.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
2:57 pm
On how many other occasions has Minister Dutton intervened to grant visas to people in detention for being unlawful noncitizens?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
I'm not aware of the number of times that ministerial discretion has been exercised, but that's certainly something I can take on notice.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
Minister, can give you a categorical guarantee that Minister Dutton, in this case, did not breach the ministerial code of conduct, which precludes ministers from using their public office for private purposes?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
2:58 pm
Any suggestion that the minister has acted for personal gain is baseless. For the benefit of colleagues, I'm advised that Minister Dutton does not employ and has never employed an au pair.