Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. The minister advised the House in relation to the 149 criminals released from immigration detention, 'Each one of them is being continuously monitored.' But we know that at least 18 criminals have been arrested by state and territory police after committing crimes. How can the minister claim they have been continuously monitored if, in fact, they've been left to their own devices to commit crimes?

Milton Dick (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Minister for Social Services will cease interjecting.

Order! The member for Barker will cease interjecting as well so I can hear from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs

Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for his question and I acknowledge the impact of the recent bushfires on the community he represents. As I've advised the House previously, because of the four layers of protection we've put in place—in particular, strict visa conditions including reporting requirements and, in the case of many, electronic monitoring—the location of every individual in this cohort is known. Unlike those opposite, I want to reassure Australians and remind them of what the AFP acting deputy commissioner said last night to Senate estimates. He said:

I don't think there's any difficulty in knowing where they are. They're monitored through the mechanism of those clauses which are placed upon them, which are quite restrictive.

On this side of the House we trust our law enforcement and thank them for their work in keeping Australians safe.