Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Speaker. I am sure, like all ministers for immigration—and, indeed, ministers for home affairs, who also have responsibilities in this area, as the shadow minister would know—I make these decisions on the basis of the law and the materials before me. What is so disappointing here is that everyone in this parliament recognises the policy grounds we have that go to visa grants and, indeed, to the cancellation of visas of noncitizens who should not be in the community, who present a range of risks. These are not issues that should be shamelessly politicised.

Indeed, many issues, Mr Speaker, that go to the operation of our migration system go to the shameless politicisation of this regime by members opposite over nine years of neglect. I actually expected a bit more of the shadow minister for home affairs, because one thing that should unite every member of this place is a concern for the safety of the Australian community. The fact that members opposite seem entirely unconcerned about this is, frankly, disappointing. From the last election they have learned absolutely nothing. Perhaps they could consider how we could work together in the national interest on these questions, instead of engaging in this shameless, shameless scaremongering.

Honourable members interjecting—

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