Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. The Congolese national known as HWGF had his visa cancelled after being jailed for aggravated assault and repeated breaches of domestic violence orders. HWGF has been convicted of a total of 27 separate offences, including multiple counts of violent assault against two former partners, their extended families and police. 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 they apologise for this catastrophic—

Honourable members: Time!

mistake and reverse direction 99?

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

Order! I remind all members of the time limits, but it works both ways.

Honourable members interjecting—

Order! I don't need to be reminded; I can look at the clock like everyone else can. The Opposition are entitled to ask their questions. The chamber will remain silent so I can hear from the minister.

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 her question. This visa, like the other ones we've been asked about, were cancelled and remain cancelled by my department in line with ministerial direction 99.

Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order, Mr Speaker: I can't hear the speaker. It's probably a good thing but!

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! The member for Kennedy is trying to assist the House in his way! I'm going to ask the minister to continue and perhaps speak a little louder so the member for Kennedy can hear him.

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

Thank you, Speaker. I say again that the department cancelled the visas of all these people. I say also that there are five primary considerations, all of which are given equal weighting in ministerial direction 99, that need to be taken into consideration. These are protection of the Australian community from criminal conduct; family violence; strength, nature and duration of ties to Australia; best interests of minor children; and expectations of the Australian community. Direction 99 did not decrease the importance placed on considerations such as the expectations of the Australian community or community safety. That remains unchanged under this government.