Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. A front-page report in today's Adelaide Advertiser headlined 'Crime pays for released asylum seekers: Albo's free everything' quotes documents released by the Department of Home Affairs under FOI that show the travel and accommodation expenses of convicted paedophiles, rapists, murderers and a contract killer were funded by the federal government after their release from detention. The article says:

'… if a person was located and detained in New South Wales, but held in an immigration detention facility in Western Australia, if requested, arrangements should be made for that person to travel back to NSW,' the document reads. 'Travel may include by road, rail or air, as would be fair and appropriate in the circumstances.'

Minister, how much has the government spent so far on travel, accommodation and other expenses for the released detainees, including paedophiles, rapists, murderers and a contract killer?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to the senator for the question. I'm advised that the arrangements made for the persons concerned are the same arrangements as Mr Dutton had in place when he was home affairs minister.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a first supplementary?

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! I have Senator Liddle on her feet. I expect silence.

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, how much has the government spent so far on travel accommodation and other expenses for the released detainees, who, as I mentioned, included paedophiles, rapists, murderers and a contract killer?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The same amount they would have spent if Mr Dutton was still the home affairs minister.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Senator McKenzie! Senator Cash, I have reminded you before about clapping. This is not a football stadium. It is question time. Your responses should be respectful, and you should listen to the minister in silence. Senator Liddle, a second supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, if they travelled—thanks to the federal government—were they accompanied? And for how long will the Albanese government continue to pay for the accommodation and personal costs of these hardened criminals?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again indicate these are the same arrangements which were in place when Mr Dutton was home affairs minister. The fact that the opposition is again seeking to have a fight about this demonstrates that their agenda is much more about fighting the government than keeping Australians safe.