6 years ago
MORRISON MUST ACT ON DUTTON AU PAIR AFFAIR
SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
Explosive revelations in the Dutton Au Pair affair make it clear that Peter Dutton has misled the Parliament and misled his Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Prime Minister needs to explain why Peter Dutton should remain a Minister.
New evidence received by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee au pair Senate Inquiry indicates that Peter Dutton both knew the employer of the Brisbane au pair and used his powers of ministerial intervention to grant a tourist visa to that au pair.
In Question Time on 27 March 2018, Mr Dutton categorically ruled out any connection to the employer of the au pair, answering definitively.
BANDT: My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Minister, I note your recent statements in relation to your personal intervention to prevent the deportation of two foreign intended au pairs. Can you categorically rule out any personal connection or any other relationship between you and the intended employer of either of the au pairs?
DUTTON: The answer is yes.
It is clear Peter Dutton has misled the House. Misleading the Parliament is a sackable offence for a Minister.
Peter Dutton also appears to have misled his Prime Minister. Just a few days ago, Scott Morrison said:
“If someone makes an application not even in the name of the person you worked with twenty years ago, and actually does it through basically the switchboard, that’s what doesn’t pass the pub test. The allegation that is being made, that somehow there was some relationship or knowledge, does not pass the pub test at all.”
Scott Morrison, Press Conference, Sydney, 2 September 2018
It’s now clear that this intervention was not through “the switchboard” – it has Peter Dutton’s fingerprints all over it.
Peter Dutton has undermined the integrity of Australia’s immigration system.
Australia’s security agencies, border security, and immigration functions should be beyond political interference. Our national security is too important.
If Scott Morrison has any authority over his illegitimate Government, he will demand a full explanation from Peter Dutton.
If Dutton doesn’t talk, his position is untenable.