A heated Australian Senate estimates exchange has erupted over the detention of Australian citizen Robert Pether in Iraq. Senator David Shoebridge questioned Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong over Pether’s deteriorating health and the Australian government’s efforts to secure his release. Shoebridge raised an alleged $12 million financial claim involving officials at the Iraqi Central Bank, arguing that the demand is preventing Pether from returning to Australia. He also questioned why Australia continues to provide funding to the Iraqi Central Bank and urged the government to use that funding as leverage in the case. Wong defended the government’s position, saying the funding is specifically directed towards countering terrorism and transnational crime and serves Australia’s national interests. She also said the government continues to advocate for Pether through professional consular representations, while declining to discuss his specific medical circumstances on privacy grounds.

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