Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. A Kenyan national known as XLFM had his visa cancelled after he was convicted of raping the 17-year-old sister of the mother of his infant child and then robbing a petrol station with a meat cleaver. The Albanese Labor government's watering down of the law has allowed this criminal to stay in Australia, making our country less safe. When will the Albanese Labor government apologise for this catastrophic mistake and reverse direction 99?

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

I thank the member for Wide Bay for his question. As I've already said, my thoughts, and the thought of all members, I'm sure, are with the family of the victim here. This was a visa that was cancelled and remained cancelled by my department under direction 99. Direction 99 did not, and does not, decrease the importance placed on considerations such as the expectations of the Australian community and the protection of the community from crime. This remains unchanged under this government. Community safety remains the highest priority of this government, and I say again these were decisions made by an independent tribunal.