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Australian Opposition for judicial probe

Melbourne: Australian Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd on Monday demanded an “independent” judicial inquiry into the Mohammed Haneef episode, saying questions “hanging in the air” about the Government’s treatment of the Indian doctor can only be answered by such a probe.

Mr. Rudd said he did not know what Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews was referring to when he cited compelling evidence for cancelling the visa of Dr. Haneef, who returned to India after being cleared of terror charges. “What has formed the basis of his decision to change the form of incarceration of Dr. Haneef, and what then became the basis of his decision to order the deportation of Dr. Haneef and other actions taken... I do not know,” the Labour leader said.

“That is why we need to have all information on the table,” Mr. Rudd said, adding “I have no confidence in the Government conducting its own internal administrative review.”

“What caused us to become concerned, particularly in the last several days, were some of the statements by the Immigration Minister which left a series of new questions hanging in the air.”

Earlier, Labour Justice spokesman Joe Ludwig said there had been so many turns in the Haneef case and it was time for an independent judicial review.

Senator Ludwig said there were questions over Mr. Andrews’ behaviour, which he said had contributed to a crisis in public confidence in the nation’s anti-terrorism laws. — PTI

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