Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the steps the government is taking to make Australian society safer, including through the use of section 501 of the Migration Act? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his very important question. It is the case that this government has cancelled a record number of visas under section 501 of the Migration Act—that is, people who were visiting our country and committed an offence while they were here. We take a very tough decision and we boot them out. We cancel their visas and we kick them out. In Labor's last year in government, they cancelled 84 visas. In the last 12 months, we have cancelled 1,013 visas. Included in that is well over 100 outlaw motorcycle gang members. When I look at the categories, I think the motorcycle gang members are included in most of these categories, and we are up in all of these categories: armed robbery, 139 cancellations; assault; drug offences; fraud; deception; grievous bodily harm; reckless injury; kidnapping; manslaughter; murder; other violent offences; theft; robbery; use threat with intent. All of these categories are up dramatically because, I suspect, many of the bikies fall into those categories.

Not every Australian is supportive of the work that we are doing in cancelling these visas. In May, it is reported, we had paid CFMEU organiser Mick Powell and union delegate Stu-e Corkran attend a Rebels protest against the visa cancellation of a Rebels gang member. He may well be an extortionist or a robber, he may well turn up on building sites and muscle subcontractors and all sorts of people in a shocking way, but he is not too smart, our Stu-e, because he turned up in his Rebels outfit—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister knows about the use of props.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

but what gave the game away was that he was using his CFMEU emblazoned megaphone. So, automatically, we knew that he was not just a bikie lover but he was a CFMEU official.

Opposition members interjecting—

Look at the drab looks from start to finish on the front bench. Do you know why, Mr Speaker? The CFMEU has donated $10 million to the Labor Party in recent years and they own and operate the Labor Party. Why otherwise would this Leader of the Opposition allow these lawless thugs to go onto building sites and muscle honest and decent subcontractors off those sites? Why would the CFMEU use these bikies as muscle on the building sites? And why would the Labor Party tolerate such action? Because they are owned and operated by the CFMEU. Follow the money. This week, the Leader of the Opposition needs to recognise that Australians are onto his weak leadership. 'Bikie Bill Shorten' needs to realise the Australian people have worked him out.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will refer to members by their correct titles.

Mr Pasin interjecting—

Mr Sukkar interjecting—

Mr Keogh interjecting —

Mr Champion interjecting —

Members will cease interjecting. The member for Barker and the member for Deakin are now warned, as is the member for Burt and Wakefield! The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection knows well to refer to members by their correct titles. He will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection cannot get through an answer without breaching standing orders. To simply tell him at the end, 'Don't do it again,' is plainly not working. I ask that he be called to withdraw.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will withdraw the last part of his answer.

Mr Husic interjecting—

The member for Chifley will withdraw from the House under 94(a).

The member for Chifley then left the chamber.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I am suitably admonished. The Leader of the Opposition—I am happy to call him by his correct title.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I also asked you to withdraw.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

The minister will resume his seat for a second. The member for Isaacs will leave under 94(a). I warned him and I made sure he knew he was warned. He will leave.

The member for Isaacs then left the chamber.

The minister will now come to the dispatch box and withdraw unreservedly and quickly.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw unreservedly.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank you.