Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her 7 May announcement that a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia would be concluded in the near future. Given that it is over seven weeks since then, why did she rush to announce something as important as this before critical issues surrounding human rights had been resolved and before agreement had been reached about the repatriation of unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers without identification? Is it not time that she swallowed her pride and asked the foreign minister for some help?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In answer to the shadow minister's question, I believed it was appropriate to provide information to the Australian community about the approach we were taking. When I was in a position to release a joint statement with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, I did. I believe that provided advice to the Australian community about the government's approach. Of course we are continuing to pursue discussions with Malaysia, as the shadow minister is aware. Those discussions are in an advanced state. I trust that when the shadow minister travels to Malaysia soon he does not conduct himself in a manner that is inappropriate for a member of parliament when overseas.