Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Earlier today I spoke to Andrew, a member of the family whose mother, Svetlana, was brutally murdered by Tony Kellisar, one of the 149 criminals the minister released. He is disgusted that, despite the minister's undertakings, no-one has contacted the family. They fear the murderer turning up at their home. Why hasn't this family been contacted, as the minister and Deputy Prime Minister promised?

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

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question. I acknowledge, all members of this place acknowledge, that the decision of the High Court to release those individuals, including the one the Leader of the—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will pause. The Leader of the Opposition will raise a point of order.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, the minister continues this point about 149 being ordered by the High Court to be released. One person was ordered by the High court to be released. You released another 148, including—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Attorney-General and the member for Moreton will cease interjecting. The Leader of the House on a point of order.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just raise the earlier rulings you've given with respect to abuses of points of order.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We've been pretty clear on this point during the week. Members will get the call to raise points of order on relevance or other standing orders. It is not a time to then add additional questions or additional statements to the House. As we saw yesterday, that is not going to be tolerated and action will be taken. The minister has been going for 16 seconds, so there will be no more points of order on relevance, because under the standing orders only one can be taken and that has now been taken. I give the call to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

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

The Leader of the Opposition's question raises a very important issue, which I will turn to, but it is equally important that we conduct ourselves on the basis of facts and the law. As I have stated repeatedly, I think we have to acknowledge the effect of the High Court decision.

Now, the government is committed to ensuring that all victims and their families are supported, noting, of course, the privacy restrictions and the fact that the vast majority of these victims are victims of breaches of state and territory laws, not Commonwealth laws. That is why—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Groom and the member for Bowman.

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

This is a very serious issue, and that is why the Department of Home Affairs Victim Link service was set up. It coordinates contact from victims and their families, ensuring that they are connected to law enforcement and essential support services in their state or territory so that they can feel safe and supported. Victims and their families who engage with the Victim Link service will be connected with state and territory police, victims of crime support services and, of course, 1800RESPECT, the government's national online—

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

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

This is a very serious issue.

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members on my left. Member for Barker. The Leader of the Opposition is asked for courtesy. The Chief Government Whip will cease interjecting.

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

This is a very important support service, which can also be accessed by calling the Home Affairs global service centre at any time on 131881. Community safety is our No. 1 priority, and we've put in place mechanisms to enable us to support victims.

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Opposition is going to cease interjecting. There's far too much noise. I want to hear from the member for Newcastle.