Home Affairs Assistant Minister Linda Reynolds has blamed the "cumbersome and manual" system for issuing Interpol red notices for the delay in moving to have a notice withdrawn for refugee footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi.
The 25-year-old was only released from two months detention in a Thai prison last week, after he was detained at Bangkok airport on November 27 while on a honeymoon with his wife.
Linda Reynolds and AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin answer questions during Senate estimates. Source: SBS
An Interpol Red Notice was wrongly issued against Mr Al-Araibi at Bahrain's request, but it took almost three weeks for the home affairs department to inform the AFP of his refugee status. By that time, Mr Al-Araibi was already in detention.
Ms Reynolds told a Senate estimates hearing that the outdated system for Interpol notices meant the Home Affairs department was delayed in notifying the Australian Federal Police (AFP) of Mr Al-Araibi's refugee status.
"Thousands and thousands" of red notices are issued manually, she said. "That's where it slipped through the gap."
Earlier, Senate estimates heard from the head of the Australian Federal Police, who outlined the timeline for the agency's actions on the case.
AFP Commissioner defends agency's handling of case
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin defended his agency's staff, saying they were following procedure.
"I am confident that at all times the Australian Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) adhered to the policies and procedures of Interpol.
He said reviews are being undertaken to improve inter-agency co-ordination.
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they rely on Home Affairs department to provide visa status on the subjects of Interpol red notices. Source: AAP
"The Home Affairs portfolio has undertaken a number of reviews to establish a chronology of actions, with a view to improve the information exchanged; reducing the risks of similar cases (occurring) in the future."
Mr Colvin said the agency acted within 24 hours to move to rescind Interpol's red notice once it became aware of Mr Al-Araibi's status.
And he added that Interpol would not have issued a red notice against Mr Al-Araibi in the first place, if they had known he was a refugee.
"It was issued in good faith by Interpol; they were not aware at the time of issuing it that he was subject to a protection visa."
Bahrain alleged false travel documents
An AFP review into the case has uncovered a "gap" in their handling of the case.
On November 28, the day after Mr al-Araibi was arrested in Thailand, an AFP officer emailed Home Affairs about his case.
Bahrain raised allegations with Interpol that the 25-year-old departed Australia on a suspected fake travel document.
An AFP employee raised the matter with Home Affairs.
Hakeem Al-Araibi spent two months in Thai detention. Source: AAP
Home Affairs advised the AFP officer that Mr Al-Araibi was travelling on a valid document, and also held a protection visa.
This was the first time the AFP was notified of Mr Al-Araibi's visa status.
However, the response from Home Affairs was not read.
The AFP employee had gone home and did not return to work until after Home Affairs provided separate advice about Mr Al-Araibi's protection visa.
The AFP insists this "gap" had no impact on Mr Al-Araibi's detention, as it occurred the day after his arrest.
Home Affairs officials are conducting multiple reviews into Mr Al-Araibi's case to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
