MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS - MALKA LEIFER
10 FEBRUARY 2020
The preceding speakers - I thank them all for the contributions they've made to this debate - have thoroughly set out the background facts of this matter.
Rather than stand trial in Melbourne for the horrendous crimes that Malka Leifer is accused of - if she wants to claim her innocence, to have the opportunity to clear her name before a court of law - she instead fled to Israel. She fled from accountability, she fled from justice and, some 11 years later, she remains in Israel, a fugitive from justice to this day.
Australia first requested the extradition of Malka Leifer in 2014, but five years later, and despite 63 court hearings, that extradition is yet to be determined. This delay is utterly unacceptable. The ongoing anxiety and stress these delays cause to those who suffered from her crimes demonstrate the truth of the legal maxim 'justice delayed is justice denied'.
It is long past time that Ms Leifer were extradited to Australia to face justice for the horrific crimes that she is accused of, and for Israel to honour its commitment to the rule of law and to justice. It is my hope that the long friendship between our two nations will encourage the Israeli authorities to do all that they can to bring this matter to a resolution.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to once again acknowledge the courage of Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper in their pursuit of justice in this matter.
ENDS
