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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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—

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

Order! Members on my left will cease interjecting.