Robinson Says He Will Never Forget Kim

Erwin Robinson

Robinson’s inability to explain the Kim caper haunts him, as he was unable to hold a job in the Public Service following his suspension. But as he was shown photographs of the doctored image of Kim and the real image, he was able to tell the difference and concluded that there had been a switch. He explained that having done data capture for thousands of entries, particularly for Chinese nationals, it would have been difficult to tell one from the other.

Elena Smith, Senator, Trade Unions and Civil Society

“Do you recall that the person whose picture you took – would you be able to recall whether that person who came to you looks the same as the picture you saw?”

Erwin Robinson, Former Data Entry Clerk, Immigration Department

“I would not be able to recall that specific picture but like I said, I do recall taking a picture of someone that day.”

Aldo Salazar, Chair, Senate Special Select Committee

“You’ve done tens of thousands as you said; I really don’t understand how you can remember one.”

Erwin Robinson

“That is basically the problem.”

Aldo Salazar

“But you said you remember.”

Erwin Robinson

“I’ve done many Chinese people; I can’t remember which specific Chinese person I did on which particular day.”

Aldo Salazar

“But you remember him, you remember Won Hong Kim.”

Erwin Robinson

“Because it’s a case I’m in, I have to remember him.”

Aldo Salazar

“But this came up how long after that?”

Erwin Robinson

“Like two weeks at the time; I’m not sure what date. I know it was around September ninth and it happened like October or a little around that time.”

Elena Smith

“So you remember the name, but you can’t remember the picture – you’ve worked with too many.”

Erwin Robinson

“It wasn’t even specifically that I remembered. It was basically that I was the one that was listed in the system that did it. But I do remember the day Mr. Penner came and the data I did for a Chinese person.”