Mr Chen's Dealings With DIMIA
Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
14 June 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
It is a shame Tom Allard and Joseph Kerr (Doubts on Legality of Chen treatment, 11/06/05) didn’t bother to check with us before jumping to conclusions about the timing and nature of the department’s interaction with the People’s Republic of China Consulate.
If they had bothered even a cursory look at our website, www.immi.gov.au, they would have found the clear facts of our dealings with Mr Chen.
Between 1000 and 1500 people attended our client services area in Sydney that day. Many people each day try to contact the State Director in order to seek preferential treatment. Some of them are less than truthful about their identity.
Mr Chen was unaware of the name of the current State Director, and did not outline the reason why he needed to meet with him. Consequently, he was told that an officer would need to verify his identity with the consulate before a meeting was arranged.
He agreed with this course of action.
I would like to reiterate that at the time of the conversation with the consulate,
the department had no knowledge of the matter that Mr Chen wished to discuss.
At no time during this call did the DIMIA officer disclose any information as to the whereabouts of Mr Chen or the reason for DIMIA’s inquiry.
It was not until well after the call was made that Mr Chen’s letter outlining his request for protection was lodged with the department.
Kym Charlton
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA