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

Time after time, we get questions from members opposite, but one question remains unanswered. The Leader of the Opposition is still yet to tell us why he—not a court, not a tribunal; it was his delegate—released a detainee from detention who went on to allegedly commit a violent crime. When is he going to answer that question?

This government continues to refuse and cancel visas on character grounds. I continue to cancel AAT set-asides. Section 501 has not changed. The Albanese government has always said that visa decisions need to be guided by two clear principles: firstly, the protection of the Australian community, and, secondly, common sense. A number of recent AAT decisions have not shown common sense. Yesterday the parliament passed legislation to abolish the AAT and replace it with a new administrative review tribunal. The Albanese government is delivering an accessible, sustainable, trusted and truly independent federal administrative review system that will serve the best interests of the Australian people.

Ahead of the new ART commencing, I will be updating ministerial direction 99, as the Prime Minister has just said. The new direction will ensure that all members of the ART will adopt a common-sense approach to visa decisions, consistent with the intent of ministerial direction 99. First and foremost, this means ensuring that the protection of the community outweighs other considerations.

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