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[Transcript] R1-5-Exec. Suite, RUSSELL OFFICES CANBERRA ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA HCST 114/02
The Secretary [date stamped: 'Received 21 June 2002'] Dear Brenton, I refer to the conversation you had with COL. Mike Goodyer yesterday regarding the People Smuggling Taskforce (PST) minutes. These minutes of 22 October 2001 inaccurately represent SIEV X as SIEV 8. Mr Jeff Whalan, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, noted this inaccuracy in a letter addressed to you, dated 6 June 2002. I am concerned that the fact that the Select Committee has not addressed the error in the minutes has and will continue to cause serious damage to the reputation of the Australian Defence Organisation. I bring to your attention that in today's Defence media clippings (attached) there are five articles relating to SIEV X, with particular reference to the SIEV 8/SIEV X issue from Mr Tony Kevin in an article in the Australian Financial Review. The number of daily articles on the issue has remained fairly stable since the release of the PST minutes at the hearing last week. I request that the Select Committee consider taking further action to place on the public record the error identified by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the PST minutes of 22 October 2002 [sic]. Yours sincerely
R.W.GATES
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