Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration. Last year the minister and the then Acting Prime Minister gave an undertaking to contact the victims of the 149 criminals the Albanese government released onto our streets. Can the minister confirm how many victims or families of victims are yet to be contacted? If he cannot, will the minister do the right thing: apologise and resign?

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

I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. I've outlined, of course, the mechanism we've put in place to enable those affected to make contact. I say again that my concern, and the concern of every member in this place, is for those who are affected.

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

Order!

Honourable members interjecting—

Order! The minister will pause. The Leader of the Opposition is entitled to a point of order.

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

On relevance: how is it conceivable that the minister does not have the answer available to him? How many people have not been contacted?

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

Order!

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

Why so angry, Peter?

Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We're angry for the families.

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

Order! The member for Deakin is just going to cease interjecting so I can deal with the Leader of the Opposition's point of order, please. The Leader of the Opposition needs to state the point of order on relevance. The minister was asked a tight question. He can answer the question as long as he's being directly relevant. I want to remind the Leader of the Opposition of page 567 of Practice, regarding content of answers and being directly relevant. Twenty seconds into the answer, the minister has begun to explain his answer. I'm going to remind the minister that, when there are tight questions, he'll need to make his answer directly relevant.

The member for Lindsay can leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Lindsay then left the chamber.

I can't be clearer. When I'm dealing with points of order and directing ministers, that is not the free-for-all time. The minister will be heard in silence.

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

I have contacted those victims who have contacted me. As I said with respect to the Leader of the Opposition's question, I would be very pleased to speak with the family that he referred to if I had their contact details, and I have asked my office to seek those details.