Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Why was Bob Hawke's former business partner and friend, who pleaded guilty to poisoning people—no laughing matter—Mr Abdel-Hady, an Austrian citizen, released from immigration detention on a bridging visa E rather than a bridging visa R so he didn't have to wear an ankle bracelet or have a curfew placed on him?

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

I thank the shadow minister for his question, and, of course, I remind him that the individual he refers to is not part of the NZYQ cohort. I say to him and to all members of the House that we continue to take every possible step to deport people who have no right to stay in this country. This is a matter, of course, which is currently before the court. I draw your attention, shadow minister and all members, to the comments of the judge in the most recent hearing, in which they said that there appears to be a very fixed view on the part of the minister to be rid of this man. He's right.