Mr Albanese asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 13 May 1997:

(1) Has his attention been drawn to the case in the Federal Court decided by His Honour Justice Olney on 5 March 1997, Viola Chiorney v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

(2) Did one of the issues in the case concern an interview conducted by an Immigration Officer at Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport (KSA) with the applicant, Ms Viola Chiorney.

(3) Has his attention been drawn to the comments of Justice Olney who noted that it was a matter of serious concern that a proper record was not kept of everything that was said at the time and that those charged with the administration of the Act should devise a system whereby a record is made of interviews, either by audio or video recordings or in writing so that not only the affected parties but also the Court can know precisely what occurred.

(4) How many interviews conducted by departmental officers in Australia were tape recorded in 1995-96 and how many of those were conducted by officers of the Onshore Refugee Operations Branch.

(5) How many interviews conducted by departmental officers at KSA were tape recorded in 1995-96.

(6) How many interviews conducted by departmental officers at KSA with persons seeking international protection as refugees were tape recorded in 1995-96.

(7) Will he introduce tape recordings of all interviews conducted at KSA; if so, when will it commence; if not, why not.

Mr Ruddock —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Yes. The correct reference is Viola Chiorny v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

(2) No. The interview referred to was conducted at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport.

(3) Yes.

(4) I am advised that separate records of interviews which are tape recorded are not kept. However, the majority of the people covered by the 7 856 client decisions made by the Onshore refugee Program in 1995/96 were invited to attend, and did attend, a tape recorded interview.

(5) None.

(6) None.

(7) As a result of the concerns raised by the Chiorny case, I have asked the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to undertake a review of procedures for recording interviews. However, the nature of interviews carried out by departmental officers at airports varies greatly, and may be as simple as asking one or two questions to clarify a person's personal details in order to ensure that they are processed rapidly. Tape recording interviews at airports may not always be practicable, and could inconvenience passengers unnecessarily. Other means of recording interviews, such as taking notes and producing written reports, will continue to be used where appropriate.