Justice Minister Michael Keenan presses China over detained Aussies

JUSTICE Minister Michael Keenan has raised concerns with Chinese counterparts over the four Australians held in detention in Shanghai.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan met with China's Minister for Public Security, Mr Guo Shengkun in Beijing, China. Picture: Gary Ramage

JUSTICE Minister Michael Keenan has raised concerns with Chinese counterparts over four Australians held in detention in Shanghai on suspicion of gambling crimes, but was unable to give any detail on what charges they could face.

Mr Keenan is the first government minister to visit China since 18 Crown Resorts employees, including the four Australians, were arrested in raids a fortnight night ago.

While meeting China’s Minister for Public Security and his deputy in Beijing, Mr Keenan said he pressed the point that Australia was following the case closely.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan told China's Minister for Public Security, Mr Guo Shengkun, Australia was watching closely to see what happens to the detained Aussies. Picture Gary Ramage

“I was at pains to point out the interests of the Australian government in this case,” he said.

“This is essentially a consular issue for Australia, and the four detained Australians have been given full access to the range of consular services that the Australian government offers to our nationals when they find themselves in trouble overseas.”

The four employees of James Packer’s gambling empire have, according to some reports, likely been detained for allegedly trying to lure big-money gamblers to travel from mainland China to Crown’s casinos.

The Chinese government can hold suspects for 30 days without charge, and extend another seven days as required.

“Our officials have been able to visit the four Australians,” he said. “We got assurances that we will still be able to extend that consular assistance to them.

Mr Keenan declined to say if the Chinese officials briefed him on their suspicions.

“We will obviously continue to follow it as it winds its way through the Chinese legal system — and of course we respect China’s sovereignty,” he said.

Mr Keenan is in China to sign off on a memorandum of understanding between Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, and its counterpart, CAMLMAC, the China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring Analysis Centre.

The co-operation would allow both governments to jointly attack major organised crime operations, many of which had their basis in methamphetamine manufacture.