It is a matter of public record that I did speak to Mr Mike Scrafton on the night of Wednesday 7 November 2001. I told the House of Representatives of this in answer to a question on 19 February 2002, some 2« years ago. I said in that answer that I had spoken to Mr Scrafton entirely about the video. This was reported in the media the following day.
My sole purpose in ringing him on 7 November 2001 was to obtain his assessment of the video which he had just viewed. He gave me a description of the video and expressed the view that it was inconclusive.
I decided that the video should be released. This occurred the next day.
My answer to the House was given more than 2« years ago. It has not been disputed by Mr Scrafton until now. I have been informed that Mr Scrafton left the employ of the Public Service on 13 December 2003 ie. nine months ago.
It is also particularly relevant that on 14 December 2001, in an interview with Ms Jenny Bryant of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, who had been appointed to conduct a departmental inquiry into the matter at my request, Mr Scrafton said " ... that the Prime Minister rang him later that evening. He said he spoke to the Prime Minister a couple of times that evening about the tape and informed him that it was inconclusive".
That was the only reference he made in the interview to his discussions with me on 7 November. He did not refer to the matters mentioned under (b) and (c) in his letter to The Australian newspaper published today viz that the photographs had been of events on 8 October and that nobody in Defence believed any longer that children had been thrown overboard.
In a follow up question the Bryant Inquiry asked Mr Scrafton: "Do you recall being advised at any stage that there were no children among those in the water on the 7 October?" To this question Mr Scrafton replied "No".
A record of the interview of 14 December 2001 was signed by Mr Scrafton on 3 January 2002. His response to the above additional question as well as some other specific questions was also signed on 3 January 2002.
Both of the documents signed by Mr Scrafton were made available to the Senate Inquiry. These documents are attached.
I stand by the previous statements I have made on this matter.