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Peter Dutton accused of potentially misleading parliament over au pair visas Peter Dutton accused of potentially misleading parliament over au pair visas
(35 minutes later)
Peter Dutton has been accused of misleading parliament over the au pair visa saga.Peter Dutton has been accused of misleading parliament over the au pair visa saga.
On 27 March, Greens MP Adam Bandt asked Dutton in question time to categorically rule out “any personal connection or any other relationship between you and the intended employer of either of the au pairs.”On 27 March, Greens MP Adam Bandt asked Dutton in question time to categorically rule out “any personal connection or any other relationship between you and the intended employer of either of the au pairs.”
Dutton responded: “The answer is yes.”Dutton responded: “The answer is yes.”
On Thursday, Guardian Australia revealed Dutton saved an Italian au pair from deportation, who was due to work for a former Queensland police colleague.On Thursday, Guardian Australia revealed Dutton saved an Italian au pair from deportation, who was due to work for a former Queensland police colleague.
Dutton went on to say in his answer to parliament: “I haven’t received any personal benefit. I don’t know these people. They haven’t worked for me. They haven’t worked for my wife. I repeated all of that yesterday, and I repeat it again today.”Dutton went on to say in his answer to parliament: “I haven’t received any personal benefit. I don’t know these people. They haven’t worked for me. They haven’t worked for my wife. I repeated all of that yesterday, and I repeat it again today.”
Dutton was a police officer from 1990 until 1999 before being elected to federal parliament in 2001. In 1997 Dutton and the family’s father completed a surveillance course together and were pictured in a group photograph.Dutton was a police officer from 1990 until 1999 before being elected to federal parliament in 2001. In 1997 Dutton and the family’s father completed a surveillance course together and were pictured in a group photograph.
Bandt believes Dutton has some explaining to do.Bandt believes Dutton has some explaining to do.
“On the face of it, Peter Dutton may have misled Parliament when answering my question,” Bandt told the Guardian Australia.“On the face of it, Peter Dutton may have misled Parliament when answering my question,” Bandt told the Guardian Australia.
“Given reports suggesting he has a personal connection with the employer of an au pair, he urgently needs to explain himself. If he can’t, he has no business being a minister.”“Given reports suggesting he has a personal connection with the employer of an au pair, he urgently needs to explain himself. If he can’t, he has no business being a minister.”
Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said if Dutton knows the intended employer of one of these au pairs, Peter Dutton has clearly misled Parliament.
“This entire situation stinks and it’s time Peter Dutton comes clean immediately. If he doesn’t, Scott Morrison needs to step in and clean up his minister’s mess,” he told Guardian Australia.
On morning radio on Friday, Dutton insisted he had not been in contact with the policeman for decades and the case was considered on its merits.On morning radio on Friday, Dutton insisted he had not been in contact with the policeman for decades and the case was considered on its merits.
“I wouldn’t have spoken to that individual for 20 years. I didn’t speak to him in relation to this matter. He raised it with my office,” Dutton told 2GB radio on Friday morning.“I wouldn’t have spoken to that individual for 20 years. I didn’t speak to him in relation to this matter. He raised it with my office,” Dutton told 2GB radio on Friday morning.
“I apply the law equally.”“I apply the law equally.”
He characterised his intervention as “a common sense approach”.He characterised his intervention as “a common sense approach”.
Asked if somebody was leaking the details to harm him, Dutton said: “It’s a good question. I suspect all will be revealed at some stage.”Asked if somebody was leaking the details to harm him, Dutton said: “It’s a good question. I suspect all will be revealed at some stage.”
When asked this week if the Italian au pair was intending to work for his family, the policeman told Guardian Australia: “Not confirming, not denying. Just talk to Peter Dutton’s office. It’s well above my call as to what to say.When asked this week if the Italian au pair was intending to work for his family, the policeman told Guardian Australia: “Not confirming, not denying. Just talk to Peter Dutton’s office. It’s well above my call as to what to say.
“If you want to talk to Matt Stock at Peter Dutton’s office, feel free.”“If you want to talk to Matt Stock at Peter Dutton’s office, feel free.”
Guardian Australia understands Matt Stock is a former Brisbane detective sergeant, who now works for the Australian Border Force as an acting commander and has had a liaison role with Dutton’s office.Guardian Australia understands Matt Stock is a former Brisbane detective sergeant, who now works for the Australian Border Force as an acting commander and has had a liaison role with Dutton’s office.
Australian immigration and asylumAustralian immigration and asylum
Peter DuttonPeter Dutton
Australian politicsAustralian politics
Australian GreensAustralian Greens
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