Former Immigration Minister relied on politicians' honesty

Former Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor told the inquiry into Taito Phillip Field that he relied on MPs' honesty on immigration issues and gave them preferential treatment over immigration consultants.

"I say to each and every one of them that I assume you are advocating for this person to come in and you are happy for this case to be on the front page of any paper," Mr O'Connor told Noel Ingram, QC.

Yesterday, Mr O'Connor said he did not regret that approach.

Mr Field and Mr O'Connor met in May last year to discuss immigration cases. On June 23, Mr O'Connor wrote a letter directing the Immigration Service to issue work visas to the two Thai people at the centre of the Ingram inquiry.

The report said there was real uncertainty over when Mr O'Connor knew about the allegations made against Mr Field.

It said it was possible his private secretary had been told the Thais were working in Mr Field's house several days before Mr O'Connor signed the June 23 letter, but had not passed the information on.

The report said Mr O'Connor's actions were justifiable.