Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the matters raised just now by the Leader of the Opposition, I also draw his attention to the fact that the decision concerning those visas was also made after consultation with the NT police responsible for the investigation. I also refer the Leader of the Opposition to the following advice I have received from the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship—that is, that under section 501 of the Migration Act people convicted of serious crimes who were found to have failed the character test can have their visa cancelled.

The minister for immigration also advises me to remind members—and in his case senators—that, as applies in all similar cases, assessments under section 501 are contingent on convictions for serious crimes. That goes to the heart of it. I refer to the advice which I have been provided with by the minister for immigration. I refer the shadow minister and the Leader of the Opposition to the earlier comments from the Attorney-General about the importance of ensuring that this legal process is properly protected.

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