Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
2:54 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Gallagher. Of the 149 hardcore criminals released by the Albanese government, including many rapists and sex offenders, can the minister advise how many have reoffended since they were released?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
I understand that information is made available through the reporting by the relevant state or territory or the Federal Police—so that information is publicly available.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Well, it's publicly available, so go and find it. I'm not here to do your homework for you. I'm not here to do your homework. The government's job is to put in place the arrangements that keep the community safe.
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
We're happy to wait until you google it, Minister.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Well, google yourself. Honestly!
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
Wow! So mature!
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Come on, Senator McGrath! The issue you raise around the management of the NZYQ case is a serious one, which is why the government has taken it so seriously. That's why the work is being done. That's why, when there is an offence—
Sue Lines President
Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Hume?
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
Point of order on relevance. I didn't ask about the management; I just asked about the number.
Sue Lines President
The minister is being directly relevant to that part of your question, Senator Hume. Senator Birmingham?
Simon Birmingham SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
It was a very precise question in relation to the number. If the minister, for some unknown reason, doesn't have the number in her briefing folders, or if Minister Watt doesn't have it in his, or if they're unwilling for some reason to turn to the relevant page and reveal it, the least the minister can do is take it on notice so the Senate eventually receives the actual answer—rather than telling people to go and google it, when I'm pretty confident you won't find it if you just google it.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Birmingham. As you know, I cannot direct the words that the minister uses to answer questions. The minister has answered that part of the question. It may not have been the answer you were seeking, but she has answered it. Minister, please continue.
Simon Birmingham SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
The minister has refused to answer it.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
No, I haven't refused to answer it. I have answered it. That information is made public through the relevant law enforcement agencies.
Sue Lines President
Senator Hume, first supplementary?
Senator Birmingham! You've got one of your own senators on her feet. I've called her to ask her question.
Senator Ruston—equally! Senator Hume.
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
2:57 pm
Of the 149 hardcore criminals that were released by the Albanese government, including many rapists and sex offenders, can the minister tell me how many have been rearrested?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
2:58 pm
That's the same question asked a different way. That matter is made public by the relevant law enforcement agencies.
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
How many have been rearrested?
Sue Lines President
Senator Cash, I don't see you on your feet. I've got Senator Hume on her feet.
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
Point of order on relevance. The first question was about how many had reoffended. The second question was about how many had been rearrested.
Sue Lines President
Senator Hume, I believe the minister has completed her answer, so I invite you to put your second supplementary.
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
If the minister doesn't understand the question, I'm happy for her to take the answer on notice. But can the minister guarantee that the remaining hardcore criminals—
Nita Green Queensland, Australian Labor Party
You don't understand the question! You can't even read it out!
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Excuse me!
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
Can the minister guarantee that the remaining hardcore criminals—
Sue Lines President
Senator Hume, I'm sorry, could you resume your seat. Senator Cash, I had called Senator Green to order and you continued to interject over your own senator asking a question. Senator Hume, I invite you to begin again.
Jane Hume Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service
Can the minister guarantee that the remaining hardcore criminals released by this government, who are still in our community, are in fact being adequately monitored? Can you please make this guarantee on behalf of your government to the people of Victoria, and particularly the women of Victoria, where this last offence occurred?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
2:59 pm
I can guarantee that the government is working with the law enforcement agencies to manage the NZYQ cohort to keep the community safe. Where there are issues, whether it be through visa breaches or offending or committing an offence for which they are charged, the law enforcement agencies do the job that they are meant to do and that we support, and they are doing an extraordinary job. I ask that all further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.