‘It’s not my job to get offended’: Scott Morrison snubbed by Thai PM
The Prime Minister admits he’s yet to receive a response from Thailand over the fate of football player Hakeem al-Araibi.
Hakeem is a permanent resident of Australia after fleeing torture in Bahrain and being granted refugee status.
The semi-professional footballer from Melbourne was arrested while on his honeymoon in Bangkok back in November.
Bahrain has now lodged an official extradition request, with fears he will be sent back to his homeland.
Scott Morrison tells Alan Jones the government is doing everything possible to get him back.
“We are pushing on every door here and we will continue to do that respectfully but very determinedly.”
The Prime Minister has written directly to his Thai counterpart but admits he hasn’t received a response.
“No. We’re still working closely with them. This is a very sensitive diplomatic issue,” he says.
Can you believe this… the Prime Minister of Australia has written to the Prime Minister of Thailand about this refugee, Hakeem AlAraibi and hasn’t even received a response. What an insult. #auspol
— Alan Jones (@AlanJones) January 30, 2019
Alan questions whether Thailand has forgotten Australia’s involvement in last year’s cave rescue.
“That’s an absolute bloody insult that the Prime Minister of Australia writes to the Prime Minister of Thailand and isn’t even afforded the courtesy of a response.”
But Scott Morrison is remaining diplomatic.
“It’s not my job to get offended, it’s my job to get Hakeem home.”
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