The Albanese administration is set to swiftly push a legislative amendment through Parliament on Thursday in response to a contentious High Court ruling that recently led to the release of 83 asylum seekers, some of whom have been described as “hardcore criminals,” from detention.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong addressed the Senate on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that the Federal government is contemplating an urgent corrective measure following last week’s unexpected court decision.
Later that evening, the government heightened its stance by announcing plans to expedite legislation through Parliament on Thursday, emphasizing their strong opposition to the High Court’s ruling.
In a joint statement, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles confirmed, “The Government will introduce and seek to pass this legislation tomorrow as an immediate response to the High Court’s decision.”
They also noted, “The full ramifications of the ruling remain unclear until the High Court provides its written reasons. This means additional legislative measures may be necessary once the judgment has been thoroughly reviewed.”
Last Wednesday’s High Court decision resulted in the immediate release of 81 foreign nationals who had been held indefinitely by the government. Among those released were individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including a paedophile convicted of assaulting a 10-year-old boy in Western Sydney and a Malaysian hitman responsible for the murder of a pregnant woman.
A further two people were released later.
Ms O’Neil has been outspoken in her disappointment with the decision, which the Federal government opposed
The crisis comes at a testing time for the Albanese government as the PM prepares to jet off tonight on another crucial international trip to the United States, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, or APEC
The crisis comes at a testing time for the Albanese government as the PM jets off on another crucial international trip to the United States, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, or APEC.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Albanese should skip the event – which has only ever been missed by one PM, Julia Gillard, when her father died. Several Liberal Party prime ministers over the years have stressed the significance and importance of the APEC summit.
Instead, Mr Dutton said Mr Albanese should work through the night to pass legislation to return the asylum seekers to detention.
‘We will sit down with the government, we will sit additional hours through the night,’ he said earlier on Wednesday.
Mr Dutton added the PM must be willing to ‘do whatever it takes to get these people back into custody, where they belong’.
The widespread criticism of the Labor government in the wake of the decision has sparked deep frustration for the government.
Until now, ministers have felt their hands were tied – as the High Court has not released the specific reasons for its decision, which could take months.
Without this information, the government will find it tricky to address the court’s decision and introduce legislation to detain the asylum seekers.
But Senator Wong revealed in Question Time on Wednesday ‘the government intends to introduce legislation shortly to further respond to the decision of the High Court.
‘We look forward to the Opposition assisting with passage of that legislation as soon as possible,’ she said.
Anthony Albanese ‘s government is now signalling it will rush a legal change through Parliament after a controversial High Court decision that freed 81 asylum seekers – including ‘hardcore criminals’ – from detention
Mr Albanese has been copping flak for his intense travel schedule of late, despite data suggesting he is no more well travelled than his recent precedessors.
Insiders say the timing of his trips – when everyday Australians are struggling to pay their bills, fill their petrol tanks and stock up on groceries – are ‘unfortunate’, but have challenged the Opposition to reveal which ones they would have cut.
‘These are our most important trading partners,’ one government insider said.
In 2007, prime minister John Howard described APEC as ‘an unrivalled opportunity for bilateral exchanges’.
And in 2018, then-prime minister Scott Morrison said APEC was an ideal opportunity for independent sovereign states to ‘keep getting on with each other’.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told the Senate on Wednesday afternoon that the Federal government is considering an urgent fix after the surprise judgment by the court last week
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, alongside Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, have been responsible for leading the government’s response to the crisis.
Ms O’Neil has been outspoken in her disappointment with the decision.
She told Sunrise host Nat Barr ‘those crimes and those people are absolutely despicable.
‘I’m raising three children in this country and I can tell you that if there was anything in my power to keep these people in detention, I would absolutely do it.’
With the PM overseas, responsibility will fall to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who also weighed in on the High Court decision.
He assured the public authorities were utilising every option available to them to keep a close eye on the released asylum seekers.
‘I remind Australians that we argued against this in the High Court,’ he said.
‘This is not our decision. But in the decision having been made by the High Court, these people have been released.
‘They’ve been put on bridging visas with the strictest possible conditions. That was something that the Government did straightaway.
‘We are continuing to assess what option we have here, which include potential legislative responses and we’ll be working on that very quickly.’
