Mr BEAZLEY (Leader of the Opposition) (2:00 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister. Why couldn’t the government find Ms Vivian Solon for two years, given she is still with the Catholic nuns she was handed over to on her second day in the Philippines after being deported? Does the Prime Minister agree with the statement of Father Mike Duffin, the Catholic missionary who found her, that ‘if the government says they don’t know where she is, it’s a bit hard to believe’?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —Clearly, the circumstances of this case, on the available information, appear very sad and it will be a matter of sorrow and regret that this lady, who appears to be an Australian citizen, has been deported. I can report that discussions are currently under way with the person in the Philippines, involving the Australian consul-general, and offers, if it is her wish, to return to Australia with government support have been made.

In the meantime, as the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has indicated, this matter has been referred to Mr Palmer’s inquiry. When the results of that inquiry, not only in relation to this issue but also in relation to Cornelia Rau, are available, the government will then consider what further steps should be taken in what appears on the face of it to be a very sad and unhappy circumstance.