[Greens-Media] Habib claims require Senate investigation

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

Habib claims require Senate investigation

13.06.07


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle has written to the President of the Senate
asking him to investigate whether the government has misled the
Parliament about their knowledge of Australian citizen Mamdouh Habib
being rendered to Egypt for torture. 

Following allegations broadcast in this week's Four Corners program
Senator Nettle is concerned that government ministers and departmental
officials may have misled the Parliament in evidence to Senate hearings
on the matter.

"On a number of occasions Ministers, department officials, ASIO and the
Australian Federal Police told the Parliament that they did not know
about or play a role in Mr Habib's transfer to Egypt. We now know that
is not true." Senator Nettle said.

"Misleading the Parliament is a very serious matter. The President must
ensure that this matter is put before the Senate Privileges Committee to
be properly investigated."

"The government stands accused of colluding in the rendition of
Australian citizen Mr Mamdouh Habib to Egypt to be tortured."

More Information Kristian Bolwell: 0411638320 

NB Copy of the complaint to the President follows.



Senator the Hon. Paul Calvert
President of the Senate
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600



Dear Mr President,


Matter of Privilege - Knowledge of Mamdouh Habib's rendition to Egypt


I write to raise a matter of privilege in accordance with Standing Order
81.

The matter refers to a possible breach of privilege in relation to
evidence provided to the Senate about the government's knowledge and
participation in the transfer to Egypt of Australian citizen Mr Mamdouh
Habib.

In particular I refer you to last night's Four Corners documentary,
'Ghost Prisoners', which examined the rendition of Mr Mamdouh Habib to
Egypt to be tortured.

The program claimed that documents released under the Freedom of
Information Act showed the Australian Government was aware of his
transfer to Egypt only days after it occurred (I attach a transcript of
the program).

Given previous evidence to the Senate suggested that the government was
not aware of this fact I am now writing to ask you to examine whether or
not the Privilege's committee should investigate the matter.

I therefore request that you give precedence to a motion to refer this
matter to the Privileges Committee in accordance with Standing Order 81.

Yours Sincerely




Kerry Nettle
Australian Greens Senator for NSW


12 June 2007