Women on 10 different flights at Doha airport were subjected to invasive internal examinations by Qatari authorities earlier this month, Foreign Minister Marise Payne says has revealed.
Ms Payne told a parliamentary hearing 18 Australian women were involved.
The examinations occurred after a newborn premature baby was found in a terminal bathroom at Hamad International Airport.
"The matters which are being discussed in relation to this matter are very concerning and very distributing and the Australian government has been clear about that," Ms Payne said.
READ MORE: Marise Payne shocked by women's 'grossly disturbing' search after baby found at Doha Airport
Eighteen women were Australian, and it is understood there were a number of women of other nationalities involved.
Ms Payne has declined to provide details about the other women involved due to privacy concerns.
"There have been a series of meetings continuing in Qatar as late as yesterday. Australia is not the only country affected," she said.
Ms Payne said there were meetings occurring with the Qatari government, Qatar Airways and the airport involved.
The Australian government is still awaiting a report from the Qatari government.
It has also emerged that the Australian Government was first alerted to the incident on October 4.
The news comes as the Transport Worker's Union threatens to boycott Qatar Airlines in response to the incident if the government failed to act.
More to come.
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