Home

‘Limits of Australian Government are real’: Christian Porter’s warning on Perth couple detained Iran

Staff reportersThe West Australian
Jolie King and Mark Firkin.
Camera IconJolie King and Mark Firkin. Credit: Instagram/The Way Overland

The Federal Attorney-General has reminded Australians about the risks of travelling in "dangerous" countries after it was revealed a Perth couple have been detained in Iran.

Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran.
Camera IconArrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran. Credit: Instagram

Travel bloggers Jolie King and Mark Firkin were travelling from Perth to London when they were seized in Tehran in July.

They are reportedly being held in Evin Prison while the Australian Government negotiated their release.

Attorney-General Christian Porter told Gareth Parker's Mornings Program on 6PR that outside of North Korea, Iran was one of the most difficult governments to deal with.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"Whether it's in Iran or other places, the limits of the Australian Government are real," he said.

"People who undertake travel are really advised to think about each country as a separate sovereign entity and each country is different from the next."

The current Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade adivce on Iran is for Australians to reconsider their need to travel there.

Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran.
Camera IconArrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran. Credit: Instagram

"Reconsider your need to travel to Iran due to the risk that foreigners, including Australians, could be arbitrarily detained or arrested," DFAT's Smart Traveller website reads.

We can't guarantee access to consular services or legal representation if you're detained or arrested."

Mr Porter urged travellers to exercise caution while travelling overseas.

Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran.
Camera IconArrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin in Iran. A source has said the Australian couple imprisoned in Iran have been in Evin Prison since July 2019 for flying a drone near the capital city, Tehran. Credit: Instagram/The Way Overland

"None of us are immune from trouble whether you are in Bali or Iran, we need to be very careful," he said.

"There are some countries that you need to be extraordiarily careful in."

The Prime Minister today refused to weigh into the situation publicly but said the matters were being pursued behind the scenes at a diplomatic level.

He would not say if he would discuss the issue directly with his Iranian counterpart.

Jolie King and Mark Firkin at Wave Rock
Camera IconJolie King and Mark Firkin at Wave Rock Credit: Instagram/The Way Overland

“Engaging in public commentary about process on consular cases is never in the interests of those who are caught up in these issues. So I will respect their family's views and respect their interests and I am going to limit my commentary to the matters I have already said,” Mr Morrison said.

“We will continue to pursue these matters in the interests of the Australians at the centre of these cases and we will do that carefully and in close consultation through our officials who have been part of this process now for some time.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails