Australia’s immigration minister has dismissed concerns about mass deportation that arose after the passage of the Migration Bill amendment.
Concerns regarding mass deportation have been dismissed following the implementation of new migration laws.
“There was some strange speculation … that we’re on the verge of deporting 80,000 people,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated on Sky News on Dec. 1.
“I’m not planning to make a major announcement about a mass deportation or anything like that.”
After the passage of the Migration Bill amendment in Parliament, there were suggestions that nearly 80,000 non-citizens could be subject to mass deportation.
Meanwhile, the new law has given the immigration minister the authority to pay third countries to accept individuals in immigration detention.
Purpose of the Migration Amendment
The bill was introduced to address security gaps that emerged when the High Court declared indefinite detention illegal, leading to the release of over 200 immigration detainees, many of whom had committed serious offenses such as murder, domestic violence, and rape.
This move drew criticism from the Coalition for not taking more measures to keep individuals of concern away from the community.
Burke explained that the new powers were a precaution to cover a small number of individuals who refused to leave voluntarily and secured legal representation to stay.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge remains against the law, highlighting the tough immigration policies of the Coalition as a concern, suggesting that a future minister could execute the deportation of 80,000 people.
The migration bill also allows for the power to ban certain visa categories, like business visas, from countries that refuse to take back citizens Australia seeks to deport due to their opposition to forced removals.
Burke mentioned that the threat of visa bans has influenced the attitudes of some countries.
Phone Ban in Detention Centers
A prohibition on mobile phones in detention centers was also approved by Parliament with bipartisan support from Labor and the Coalition.
Burke mentioned that outlaw motorcycle gang members and individuals associated with organized crime have been attempting to operate through detention centers.
With approximately 90 percent of individuals in immigration detention having a criminal record, it was essential to prevent criminal gangs from operating within these facilities, he added.
When questioned about the need to restrict detainees’ communication, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that community safety is the top priority.
“We will take necessary actions to ensure the safety of Australians,” Albanese stated on ABC’s Insiders.
However, Shoebridge criticized the ban, stating that it should be up to the courts to determine criminal penalties, and individuals who have served their sentence should have the right to communication.
He suggested that if there is evidence of unlawful behavior, law enforcement can obtain a warrant and confiscate phones.
“People are not in immigration detention because they have committed a crime; they are there due to their visa status,” he remarked.
“The immigration system should handle immigration matters and not act as a quasi-criminal system.”
Moreover, Shoebridge argued that the ban could hinder the reporting of human rights abuses.
Burke emphasized that detention centers must ensure that detainees who lose phone privileges have alternative means to contact their family and legal counsel.
Source link
