Mr Chen's contact with DIMIA

Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
10 June 2005

Dear Sir/Madam

It seems your reporter Tom Allard (Abbott, Costello back asylum for Chen, 10/06/05) either did not see, or did bother to read, the Department’s media release circulated to the Herald on 8 June setting the record straight regarding Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin’s dealings with our NSW office.

When Mr Chen first contacted the department wanting to speak with the state director, he gave no indication of the subject he wished to discuss.

As Mr Chen claimed to be a diplomatic official, a DIMIA officer advised she wished to confirm this with his consulate. Mr Chen provided telephone numbers to do this and did not indicate a problem with his identity being confirmed in this manner.

At no time during this call did the DIMIA officer have any knowledge of the matter Mr Chen wanted to discuss, nor did she disclose any information about his whereabouts or the reason for DIMIA’s inquiry.

(A copy of the original release can be accessed by clicking here.)

Kym Charlton
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA