Danby, Bishop clash over passports

UNAUTHORISED use of Australian passports flared up again as a political issue this week, with Melbourne Ports MP Michael Danby attacking deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop over her demand for a Canberra protest to Israel.

But the Coalition’s foreign affairs spokesperson told The AJN she stood by her March 25 comments that if Australian Ben Zygier had used his passport to spy for Israel, Australia should lodge a protest with the Jewish State.

Danby slammed Bishop for “her hypocrisy in relation to Israel”, claiming her demand for a protest contradicted comments she made in 2010, when Israel’s alleged use of Australian passports, and those of other nationalities, in the killing of Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai became public.

At the time, Bishop had said: “It would be naive to think that Israel is the only country in the world that has used forged passports, including Australian passports, for security operations.”

Danby said the contradiction showed Bishop’s “ineptitude in foreign affairs and security matters”, adding: “I note both the statements of the Australian Foreign Minister and the Israeli Prime Minister, that cooperation between our countries’ secret agencies had not been affected by the tragic death of Ben Zygier, nor had there been involvement by Australian agencies in leaking Zygier’s secret identity.

“Ms Bishop as usual has jumped on the latest populist bandwagon, displaying an ignorance of the more profound issues involved.”

Bishop, however, reaffirmed her comments, accusing Danby of “encouraging the unauthorised use of Australian passports by foreign intelligence agencies. This is a reckless statement that could undermine international confidence in Australia’s passports.

“As I have said previously, I would expect a protest to be raised with any organisation or government that used Australian passports for its security agents without the authorisation of the Australian government.”

PETER KOHN

Melbourne Ports MP Michael Danby.