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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent

Dfat bungle delayed visas for former Afghan embassy employees at risk from Taliban

Australian citizens and visa holders prepare to board a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021
Australian citizens and visa holders prepare to leave Afghanistan in August 2021. A Dfat bungle caused a four-week delay for some Afghans seeking help as the Taliban swept to power. Photograph: Department of Defence/Reuters

A file number bungle by an Australian government department caused a four-week delay in helping some Afghan citizens at risk of retribution from the Taliban as the militant group swept to power in Afghanistan, Guardian Australia can reveal.

A freedom-of-information investigation reveals the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade prepared an urgent submission for the then minister Marise Payne asking for a decision about a group of former embassy employees within three days.

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