Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McKim. Obviously, Senator Wong has addressed a number of the issues contained in Senator McKim's question, but, to elaborate and specifically answer Senator McKim's question, I'll come to what we're doing about those matters. But I want to reinforce the point that the government's priority is the safety of the Australian community, and we think it's very important to ensure that, in managing this issue, that remains front and centre.

As you would know, I expect, Senator McKim, the decision of the High Court was released only yesterday afternoon. The High Court has not published its reasons for the decision yet. As soon as we receive those reasons, we will obviously be obtaining the advice of the Solicitor-General as to the implications of that decision for the other people in detention who it may affect. It is important that we receive those reasons and give them due consideration before we take the next steps that the decision would require.

To my knowledge—and I emphasise 'to my knowledge'—the only person who is affected by this decision who has been released at this point in time is the plaintiff in this particular decision. To my knowledge, none of the other people who whom the decision may relate have yet been released into the community. As I say, we are awaiting the reasons for the decision and the Solicitor-General's advice on that decision before we can make decisions about any further releases that may or may not occur.

I'd also like to say—