Qatar airport incident in which women were invasively searched reported to Australian Federal Police
The incident in which Australian women were invasively searched following the discovery of a newborn baby in a Qatari airport has been reported to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Key points:
- Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she had never heard of such an incident occurring before
- The incident occurred on October 2 but wasn't reported publicly until Sunday
- The baby is safe and receiving medical care
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it was "a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events".
"It is not something I have ever heard of occurring in my life, in any context," she said.
"We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter."
Senator Payne, who is also Minister for Women, said she was expecting a report into the incident from the Qatari Government this week, but that the matter had been reported to the AFP.
It is not clear what powers the AFP would have over the incident, which occurred in Doha in the Middle East.
Senator Payne declined to elaborate further until she had seen the report, but did say the Government was informed of the matter when it occurred on October 2.
Women upset by incident
Dr Wolfgang Babeck was on board the flight and said passengers had been waiting on the tarmac for several hours when all women, regardless of their age, were asked to leave the plane.
"I personally thought, oh wow, what's going on? And I thought the more vulnerable persons are being taken out and I was wondering what will happen now, are they looking for someone, are they searching the plane? I was a bit anxious myself," he told RN Breakfast.
"Then some security people came on board and were looking whether passengers had been hiding on the plane.
"And people couldn't believe what had happened."
Dr Babeck said he understood all flights at the time were delayed.
A statement from the Hamad International Airport (HIA) said a newborn baby was found abandoned on October 2 and was provided with medical attention.
"Medical professionals expressed concern to officials about the health and welfare of a mother who had just given birth and requested she be located prior to departing HIA," it read.
"Individuals who had access to the specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query.
"At this time, the newborn infant remains unidentified, but is safe under the professional care of medical and social workers."
'Unacceptable treatment'
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese described the incident as "really disturbing" and said he would ask for a briefing from the Government.
"In my view it is completely unacceptable," he said.
"The Government has a relationship with Qatar, the Government's in a position to regulate a range of activities and I would have thought that it needs something other than just strong words."
NSW Police said the women received medical and psychological support while in hotel quarantine in Sydney.
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong took to social media to urge Qatari authorities to be "transparent".
"Labor supports the Government in registering Australia's serious concerns with Qatari authorities."
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