2 Nov 2017

Abuse-accused NZ man visiting Australia arrested, sent to Christmas Island

From Morning Report, 8:26 am on 2 November 2017

A New Zealand man who went to Australia on a family visit has found himself detained on remote Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on an historic sex assault charge against one of his daughters, who lives in Queensland. His lawyer Bruce Peters of Brisbane warns this could happen to any New Zealander who has a jailable offence or allegation of any kind registered with Australian authorities. He says the charge this man faces is not the sort that would warrant extradition. Mr Peters told RNZ reporter Phil Pennington the man can't be deported because he faces charges, but there's no prospect of a trial when even speaking to him is difficult.