House debates Questions without Notice
Immigration Detention
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:28 pm
My question is to the Minister for Immigration. Evidence in Senate estimates has revealed that of the 149 individuals the government has released from immigration detention, which include seven murderers, 37 sex offenders and 16 domestic violence and stalking offenders, the minister has determined that 36 not be required to wear ankle bracelets. How many of these individuals have committed an offence?
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
I thank the shadow minister for another question. What I think I need to make clear is that since the decision of the High Court in November last year—
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for Deakin will leave the chamber under 94(a).
The member for Deakin then left the chamber .
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
which required the release of a number of people, we have set up a range of measures. The shadow minister refers to evidence in Senate estimates hearings today. Of course that is the evidence. But let us go through what we have done, which is to take all the steps to ensure that community safety is put in place through four layers of protection. The thing that he seems to be missing in this is that we now have the Community Protection Board, which is providing expert advice to government on how to manage the—
Milton Dick Speaker
The minister will pause. I'll hear from the member for Wannon on a point of order.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
It's relevance. The thing I'm missing is an answer, an answer to a very simple question.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
On the direct relevance rule, and as the member opposite knows from the time that he was on this side, it has always been the case that the question is whether or not the answer that's being given is relevant to the subject matter. It might not be the answer that the shadow minister wants, it might not be what he would have written had he been offering dictation, but that is not the question under the standing orders.
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for McEwen will cease interjecting. We had this issue last week regarding yes, no and specifics. As the member knows, I can't direct the minister to answer the question that he would like him to answer, but I'm going to make sure he's being directly relevant to the question and to provide the information as requested under the standing orders.
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was nearly finished. What the shadow minister needs to remember is that these are matters—and I've already answered the first bit of his question. One critical element is for him to pay appropriate respect to the good work of the men and women on the Community Protection Board, the people best placed to provide advice to government on how to manage these very difficult issues.