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Deportation of Italian diplomatic staff – statement by Minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell
[handwritten note in black ink illegible. Possibly a signature.]
IM/48.
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION
(the Hon. [Honourable] Arthur A. Calwell)
[handwritten cross drawn in black ink.]
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The Minister for Immigration said today that two Italians sought for the domestic staff of the new Italian Minister must return to Italy.
Mr Calwell said –
"I am not prepared to allow any aliens to enter Australia until they have been subjected to the most careful screening for good character and to ensure that they are no security risk.
"It is evident that the Italian Minister met these men for the first time on the ship on which he recently travelled to Australia. They were members of the ship's crew. Neither had been screened in any way to enable his entry into Australia to conform with our established security policy.
"Permission for them to land was refused by me on February 4, prior to the arrival of the vessel in Sydney. Despite this decision the men were absent from the vessel when it sailed on February 10.
"If these men were to be allowed to enter our country through the back door, crew members on any other vessels visiting Australia could claim similar entry for service with Australian citizens as well as with diplomats.
"Had the Italian Minister notified my Department before he left Italy that he wished servants to accompany him arrangements could have been made for their screening and they could have accompanied him as passengers, or they would have come by an earlier or later vessel.
"The Italian Minister has been advised of the position and has been told that he may seek the re-entry into Australia of these or other men it he so desires but he must act in accordance with our established immigration regulations. I propose to give no privileges and will sanction no exceptional treatment to diplomats that I could not approve of in respect of an Australian citizen. [red lines drawn next to this paragraph in the left margin, with handwritten note in pencil that reads 'Vienna Protocol'.]
"I have received a letter from the Italian Minister disassocia-[ting…]
[Page] 2.
["I have received a letter from the Italian Minister disassocia-]ting himself from the press publicity which has been given to my refusal to allow the two servants to remain in this country and expressing regret at the unwelcome publicity. These two men have been illegally in Australia now for over a month. They were landed without my authority and those responsible must see that they leave this country.
