Julie Bishop - Member for Curtin

ABC, World Today with Meredith Griffiths

Subjects: Detention of Australian lawyer in Libya

E&OE…

MEREDITH GRIFFITHS    The Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, is overseas and wasn't available to speak to The World Today. His spokesman couldn't confirm if the Australian Government knew the Libyan government wanted information from Ms Taylor. But, in a written statement issued early this morning, Bob Carr said he was concerned to hear that Ms Taylor has reportedly been moved from house arrest to an unidentified prison. He said it's now essential for Libyan authorities to grant immediate consular access to Ms Taylor and her colleagues. Australia's Ambassador to Libya, David Ritchie, is in Tripoli today and is seeking urgent access to Ms Taylor. The Opposition's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Julie Bishop, says it's troubling to hear that the Libyan government wants information before Ms Taylor will be freed.

JULIE BISHOP     This is deeply concerning and I'm relieved to know that Ambassador Ritchie, one of our most experienced diplomats, will be on the ground in Libya making contact with Melinda Taylor and ensuring that she's safe and providing whatever consular support she needs.
But there are broader implications here. If Libya is to transition from a dictatorship to a democracy, it must uphold the international obligations and norms of diplomatic immunity and legal privilege. Otherwise, it will be impossible for the international community to work there.

MEREDITH GRIFFITHS    She is calling for Ms Taylor to be released immediately.

JULIE BISHOP     I urge the Libyan authorities to release Ms Taylor, and if they have concerns about her conduct in Libya, they can take those issues up through official channels with the International Criminal Court. But the lawyers, including Melinda Taylor, can claim immunity, and there appears to be no justification for effectively waiving her immunity, regardless of their concerns, Melinda Taylor should be released.

MEREDITH GRIFFITHS    Melinda Taylor's family wouldn't comment today, except to say their thoughts are with her and her colleagues, and they're hoping for a swift conclusion to this matter.