Peter Dutton released au pair from immigration detention after lobbying from AFL boss Gillon McLachlan

By political editor Andrew Probyn and political reporters Andrew Greene and Eliza BorrelloUpdated 46 minutes ago

PHOTO: The ABC understands Peter Dutton intervened after AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan made contact. (AAP/ABC News)

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Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton personally intervened to stop a French au pair being deported after his office was lobbied by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
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Documents obtained under Freedom of Information show Mr Dutton approved the release of a 27-year-old woman from immigration detention on November 1, 2015 and used his ministerial power to grant her a tourist visa.
The ABC understands the woman's name is Alexandra Deuwel and that she arrived at Adelaide Airport on October 31, 2015.

It is believed she was planning to work for Adelaide-based pastoralists Callum and Skye Maclachlan.
Callum Maclachlan is the second-cousin of Gillon McLachlan, even though their surnames are spelled differently.

​Key points:

• Documents show a 27-year-old was released from immigration detention in November 2015 after Peter Dutton granted her a tourist visa
• ABC understands Alexandra Deuwel was planning to work for Callum Maclachlan, second-cousin of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan
• It is understood the AFL boss made representations to Mr Dutton's chief of staff Craig Maclachlan, though the staffer's relationship with Gillon McLachlan and his second-cousin is unknown

PHOTO: It is understood Alexandra Deuwel was planning to work for Callum Maclachlan and his wife (pictured). (Supplied: Facebook)

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It is understood Gillon McLachlan made representations to Mr Dutton's chief of staff, Craig Maclachlan.

It is not known whether Craig Maclachlan is a relative of either the AFL boss or the pastoralist.

Mr Dutton's office asked the department for a brief on the matter.

In a document marked 'Sensitive: Personal' dated November 1, 2015, Mr Dutton wrote, "It would be in the public interest" to grant the woman a three-month tourist visa.
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He added that his intervention was a "discretionary and humanitarian act" for someone with "ongoing needs" and that the decision was in the "interests of Australia as a humane and generous society".

INFOGRAPHIC: Part of a document released under FOI relating to Peter Dutton's intervention in the case of a woman in immigration detention. (ABC News)

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PHOTO: Alexandra Deuwel arrived in Australia on an eVisitor visa, which tourists can apply for online. (Supplied: Facebook)

Mr Dutton approved Ms Deuwel's release despite her telling Australian Border Force (ABF) officers she intended to work in Australia.
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The documents show Mr Dutton was therefore warned there were "clear indications" Ms Deuwel was, "intending to work in Australia and thus, the grant of a visitor visa is of high risk".

​Mr Dutton was advised to impose a condition on Ms Deuwel that she must not "engage in work", which he did.
It was not the first time the nanny had come into contact with border officials.

The ABC understands she was "counselled" by ABF officers in May 2015 about breaching the conditions of her visa, as she left Australia.

Ms Deuwel had arrived in Australia on an eVisitor visa, which tourists can apply for online.

​The ABC has sought comment from Mr Dutton, while Callum Maclachlan has not returned calls. The AFL declined to comment.

FOR FULL STORY PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/dutton-released-au-pair-after-lobbying-from-afl-boss-mclachlan/10172788

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