Simon Kennedy (Cook, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister for immigration. New Zealand citizen Dawson Rawiri's visa was cancelled following serious domestic violence convictions, including for punching his wife so hard he split her eyelid and physically assaulting his 15-year-old son. The Albanese Labor government's watering down of the law has allowed this criminal to stay in the country, making Australia less safe. When will the Albanese Labor government apologise for this catastrophic mistake and revoke 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 Cook for his question. As I have said previously in question time today, I will be issuing a new, revised ministerial direction. Part of that is to ensure that visa decisions are guided by these two principles: protection of the community and common sense. As I said in answer to an earlier question, there will be a higher focus on these than has been the case in the past. I'm sure the Leader of the Opposition, when he was listening to the examples that the Prime Minister put to him, was reflecting on how previous ministerial directions under him might have been improved too. These are changes that will improve decision-making.

On the specific question: I can say that I have already briefed senior officials of my department so that these changes can progress expeditiously.

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

Mr Speaker—

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

The minister has just said, 'On the specifics of the question,' and I listened carefully, so it's going to be a long bow to say that this is on relevance when he was giving the exact answer. That's a smart move to sit down! The minister will continue to be relevant to the question.

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

I have moved senior officials of the department so that the principles of the new revised direction can come into place properly without any unintended consequences, like those the former minister for home affairs, the now Leader of the Opposition, was not conscious of when he was responsible for this.

I note again a report in today's Sydney Morning Herald, which begins:

Two men convicted of accessory to murder were released from federal detention when Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was the minister in charge of immigration and home affairs, …

Released by him—not by the AAT, by his delegate when he was responsible. When is he going to go back—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Mr Speaker, a point of order.

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

Has the minister concluded his answer?

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

Yes, I have.

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

A point of order subsequent to the question—

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

It goes to the order of the House. You have warned the Minister for Home Affairs. She has repeatedly interjected since being warned. The standing orders should apply equally to both sides of the House and, with respect, opposition members have been ejected. I ask that you treat the Minister for Home Affairs similarly.

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

Order! If that were the case then every time I warned someone that they've interjected we virtually wouldn't have anyone here, including the member for New England, who I was specific about.

You're not in any trouble; you're fine. I didn't hear because there was too much noise of interjection. But if people are on warnings, trust me: if I hear you interjecting, you won't be here, no matter which side of the chamber or wherever you're sitting in the chamber. I am very lenient when it comes to people getting to warnings, but once you're on a warning—I thank the deputy leader for reminding the House and assisting my job to remind people that if you're on a warning, don't interject.