House debates

Thursday, 21 March 2024

Questions without Notice

Immigration Detention

2:57 pm

Photo of Sussan LeySussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. One of the hard-core criminals the Albanese government released from immigration detention has been revealed as a 42-year-old Cuban man previously convicted and jailed for raping a teenager. The Australian has reported that the minister this week removed the requirement for this rapist to wear an ankle bracelet. How many convicted rapists released by the minister are not required to wear an ankle monitor?

2:58 pm

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

I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. I remind her and I remind the House that this results from a decision of the High Court, a decision which we strongly argued against. But, like any government, we have to abide by the decisions of the court.

In response to that, we put in place a range of measures to secure the powers and also the resources our law enforcement agencies require to keep the community safe. As the ABF Commissioner said the other day:

… the ABF stands ready to adapt … to deliver the best outcomes for the community.

And a big part of that was, of course, putting in place the Community Protection Board of expert law enforcement officials, to advise on the mechanisms that are available. Their expert advice means that we have the skills and information to manage these cases appropriately. These are decisions that are endorsed by the ABF Commissioner, and we respect their advice.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The minister will pause. Has the minister completed his answer? Order. The member for Holt has the call.