Dutton defends action in au pair cases

KEY POINTS FROM PETER DUTTON ON AU PAIR SAGA:

OVERALL:

* Did not grant a visa to a person employed by him or his wife as a nanny.

* Do not have any personal connection or any type of relationship with the people involved in the matters.

ADELAIDE CASE:

* An AFL government relations officer made a representation to his chief of staff, who then sought information from the immigration department.

* The department compiled a submission which recommended intervention and this was supported by the minister.

BRISBANE CASE:

* The minister has not socialised with or had any personal contact with the former police officer who sought intervention.

* "No reasonable person could come to the conclusion that my professional association through working in the same large public service some 20 years ago constitutes either a personal connection or relationship."

* A staff member in the minister's office asked for information from the department, then sought further information through the department liaison officer.

* At no time did he speak with the ABF Commissioner, the department liaison officer or any other member of the department regarding the matter.

* The department compiled a submission which recommended intervention and the minister accepted the recommendation.

(Source: Dutton statement to parliament.)