FINAL PATEL PAPERS SENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH: SHINE
Published Wednesday, 10 October, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Attorney-General Kerry Shine has received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions that her office has completed its role in the process of applying for the extradition of Dr Jayant Patel from the United States.
“I am advised the final signed affidavits are now with the Federal Justice Department,” Mr Shine said.
“This was the result of close consultation with Commonwealth officials to prepare the best possible case for extraditing Jayant Patel.
“There has been a high level of cooperation between the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commonwealth in progressing this matter.
“The extradition application itself is a Commonwealth responsibility and I look forward to the Federal Minister for Justice giving consideration to the matter in the near future,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine told Parliament there were still a number of steps before a decision will be made by the United States on the application for Dr Patel’s extradition.
“Extradition proceedings, especially those related to overseas jurisdictions, are extremely complex,” he said.
“The Federal Minister for Justice will consider the application and if he is satisfied that the application is appropriate, the extradition request will then go to the Federal Attorney-General.
“The Federal Attorney General may then deliver an extradition request to the appropriate United States of America authority seeking extradition of Dr Patel to Australia to face criminal charges.
“A United States court will ultimately decide whether extradition will be granted.”
Mr Shine said Queensland prosecutors will continue to work closely with Commonwealth authorities should any further information be required for the extradition application.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“I am advised the final signed affidavits are now with the Federal Justice Department,” Mr Shine said.
“This was the result of close consultation with Commonwealth officials to prepare the best possible case for extraditing Jayant Patel.
“There has been a high level of cooperation between the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commonwealth in progressing this matter.
“The extradition application itself is a Commonwealth responsibility and I look forward to the Federal Minister for Justice giving consideration to the matter in the near future,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine told Parliament there were still a number of steps before a decision will be made by the United States on the application for Dr Patel’s extradition.
“Extradition proceedings, especially those related to overseas jurisdictions, are extremely complex,” he said.
“The Federal Minister for Justice will consider the application and if he is satisfied that the application is appropriate, the extradition request will then go to the Federal Attorney-General.
“The Federal Attorney General may then deliver an extradition request to the appropriate United States of America authority seeking extradition of Dr Patel to Australia to face criminal charges.
“A United States court will ultimately decide whether extradition will be granted.”
Mr Shine said Queensland prosecutors will continue to work closely with Commonwealth authorities should any further information be required for the extradition application.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273