Mr McClelland asked the Minister representing the Minister for Justice and Customs, upon notice, on 4 December 2003:

(1) How many alleged offences associated with escaping from immigration detention centres has the Australian Federal Police investigated since 1996.

(2) How many alleged offences associated with aiding or abetting escape from immigration detention centres has the Australian Federal Police investigated since 1996.

(3) How many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful prosecutions were associated with escaping from immigration detention centres since 1996.

(4) How many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful prosecutions were associated with aiding or abetting escape from an immigration detention centre since 1996.

(5) What punitive measures have been handed down by the courts in the prosecutions for escape from immigration detention centres and aiding and abetting escape from immigration detention centres.

Mr Ruddock (Attorney-General) —The Minister for Justice and Customs has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) Australian Federal Police (AFP) records for this type of information can only be provided from 14 April 2000, due to changes in AFP's Information Management systems. Since this date the AFP has received 24 referrals associated with escaping from immigration detention centres. Of these referrals, 20 related to actual escapes while the remaining 4 involved attempted escapes.

(2) There have been 2 referrals received associated with aiding or abetting escape from immigration detention centres. These referrals involved 4 people charged with aiding or abetting escape from immigration detention centre.

(3) (a) Since 1 January 1996, 12 persons have been found guilty.

(b) Since 1 January 1996, 1 person was found not guilty.

(4) (a) Since 1 January 1996, 14 persons have been found guilty. There are other prosecutions before the courts.

(b) Since 1 January 1996, no persons have been found not guilty.

(5) Sentences imposed by the courts range from discharge on recognizance without proceeding to conviction, conditional release after conviction, fines, suspended terms of imprisonment and imprisonment.