Fed: Haneef investigation unlikely to start this year

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
Fed: Haneef investigation unlikely to start this year

CANBERRA, Dec 7 AAP - The inquiry into the bungled Mohamed Haneef case is unlikely
to start this year because the federal government is still consulting officials involved
in the affair.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland today was unable to give a start date for
the promised judicial inquiry.

"I'm taking advice from the agencies as to their responses to the incidences," Mr McClelland
told reporters outside a national security conference in Canberra.

Dr Haneef, an Indian-born doctor who was working on the Gold Coast, was arrested by
Australian Federal Police when trying to leave the country from Brisbane Airport.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions later dropped a charge of supporting
terrorism following a series of embarrassing bungles in the investigation.

But Dr Haneef was deported on character grounds and remains in India.

Mr McClelland said he was still being briefed on the investigation.

"When we get all the facts we'll look at what issues may need to be examined."

AAP pv/rl/sp

KEYWORD: HANEEF MCCLELLAND

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