House debates Questions without Notice
Visa Refusal or Cancellation
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. In a leaked video reported in the Australian just before question time, the minister sensationally claimed that Australia has an 'obligation' to foreign criminals. Minister, what is Australia's obligation to foreign criminals?
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
2:01 pm
I thank the co-chair of the parliamentary friends of refugees for his question! I'm pleased to advise the House that a short time ago I spoke with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Peters.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Members:
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order! The minister will pause. I can't hear a word the minister is saying, so we're just going to reset—not the clock, but reset—for the minister to continue on.
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
A short time ago I spoke with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. I spoke to him about the changes our government will soon be making to strengthen community safety in Australia. I conveyed to him that direction 99 has not been working as intended and that we will be revoking ministerial direction 99 and issuing a new, revised direction to make sure that the protection of the Australian community outweighs all other considerations.
Opposition members interjecting—