Mr Smith, could criminal charges be laid over this?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well, let’s wait and see the results of the investigation. QUESTION: In the scale of a conspiracy, is there any doubt that this was the work of some government, some government? STEPHEN SMITH: I’m not using or categorising the matter in such a way. I’m sure in this, as in, you know, many other matters, plenty of people will have plenty of theories about this or that. I’m dealing with a step by step methodical approach to concrete facts as we know them so far as the Australian Government is concerned. QUESTION: What’s the Australian Government… QUESTION: Wouldn’t it be a statement of the obvious that this episode would influence the Australian Government in listing particular countries for biometric testing of visa applicants? STEPHEN SMITH: I’ve made the point. I’ve seen people try to make that link earlier today. I don’t believe there is a link. There are two separate things we’re dealing with here: the sanctity of a passport document and the separate issue of visa appl
