Senate debates
Monday, 18 March 2024
Questions without Notice
Immigration Detention
4:30 pm
Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Media outlets have reported that, at a secret media briefing held last Friday, the Minister for Home Affairs said that the High Court had 'drawn new boundaries around the powers of the executive and the parliament' and that 'there continues to be uncertainty about exactly where those boundaries will ultimately be drawn when it comes to key aspects of migration law'. Minister, has the government lost control of the immigration system?
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Hughes for her question. No.
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Hughes, first supplementary?
Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Has the government received advice that more than 100 additional offenders will need to be released onto our streets in the coming months?
4:31 pm
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Hughes for her first supplementary question. As you know, historically, this area of policy has been a bipartisan approach. Both the government and the opposition have supported the policies that this government and, in particular, Minister Clare O'Neil and Minister Giles have been—
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Order! Senator Farrell, please resume your seat.
Honourable senators interjecting—
I'm not going to call you, Senator Hughes, until there's silence in the chamber.
I'm not sure how long you want to hold up Senator Hughes, Senator McKenzie. Senator Hughes.
Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The point of order is on relevance. It was a very specific and narrow question with regard to advice around 100 additional offenders being released—if you could draw the minister to the question.
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The question itself is not narrow, and I believe that the minister is responding to your question. Minister Farrell.
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
This area of public policy has generally been a bipartisan one. Of course, we've recently had a decision of the High Court that has made certain determinations that, as a government, we are obliged to follow. We are addressing those decisions of the High Court to ensure— (Time expired)
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Hughes, second supplementary.
4:32 pm
Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I take that as almost a yes. What assurances can the minister provide us that the government will not release any more dangerous individuals into the Australian community due to its inaction on immigration detention?
4:33 pm
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Hughes for her second supplementary question. What I can assure you of, Senator Hughes, is that we've got two terrific ministers in this space—Minister O'Neil and Minister Giles—who are working in the national interest to ensure that ordinary Australians are protected and that we can find a way through these High Court decisions. They will continue to do that. On that note, President, I ask that any further questions be put on the Notice Paper.