House debates Questions without Notice
Migration: Community Safety
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
2:27 pm
My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Are any of the 81 hardcore criminals receiving taxpayer funded accommodation, now they have been released into the community?
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
2:28 pm
I might make the point that we fought in the court to retain them in taxpayer funded accommodation, in the immigration detention facilities. I hope the shadow minister isn't suggesting otherwise.
Andrew Giles Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
As I said only a minute ago, our concern is to maintain community safety. A critical element of that in some cases is having some control over where an individual lives. That will involve the expenditure of Commonwealth funds, which is important to keep communities safe.