Fed: Reith denies knowing children were not thrown overboard
Former Defence Minister PETER REITH says he was under the belief children had beenthrown overboard from an illegal fishing boat throughout last year's election campaign.
A report tabled in parliament today reveals Mr REITH was informed on October 11 lastyear that photographs of children in the sea were not those of youngsters thrown overboard.
That date was one month before the federal election.
Mr REITH says there were some doubts about the photographs but not about whether childrenhad been thrown overboard.
His statement comes after he was asked why he failed to inform Prime Minister JOHNHOWARD or Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK of the doubts over the photographs.
Mr REITH says at that stage there was no question that had been raised which cast intodoubt whether children had been thrown overboard.
The photographs published were of children being rescued from the sea by the crew ofHMAS Adelaide after their boat sunk.
They were published a day after the reports children had been thrown overboard.
AAP RTV sm/daw/wz/jh
KEYWORD: BOAT REITH (CANBERRA)
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий