Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Watt. Your government has recently withdrawn the appeal of Montgomery. Prior to that, an estimated 10 to 15 people asserting their sovereign Aboriginal identity were still in immigration detention. Has the Labor government released all Aboriginal people from immigration detention? If not, when will they be released?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Thorpe, for the question. This is an important issue. A significant decision was made by the government to not pursue that litigation, as you are aware. I will have to get you the exact details as to the numbers that you are seeking. I will provide that to you as quickly as I can.

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

Senator Thorpe, a first supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. My second question is: when will the Labor government reinstate the visas of Aboriginal people released from immigration detention so as to restore the rights they held prior to the coalition government cancelling their visas?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Thorpe. I am happy to come back to you with the precise details of that. I am aware that there has been some action taken to implement the effect of that decision. I just want to make sure I have the details absolutely correct before I provide them to the chamber.

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

Senator Thorpe, a second supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for your response. Will the Labor government include a special condition on an Aboriginal person's visa to guarantee a right of re-entry to Australia?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, thanks, Senator Thorpe. That does go beyond my knowledge as the representing minister but, again, I am happy to come back to you as quickly as I can.