A Queensland Liberal senator is urging a rethink from all sides of politics,saying the proposed legislation would have “real-world consequences” for vulnerable people.
The High Court is hearing a legal bid for freedom from an Iranian immigration detainee who is refusing to co-operate with government attempts to deport him.
The Albanese government is facing pressure from a growing number of concerned Labor MPs about laws the party tried to rush through parliament last month.
A person in immigration detention cannot be released just because they fear persecution in their birth country,the federal government will argue in a High Court challenge.
Diaspora communities say they were blindsided by proposed laws that could ban foreigners from countries such as Iran and South Sudan from entering Australia.
Stephanie Foster declined to detail discussions,saying the relationship between ministers and staff “depends on being able to have trusted conversations”.
Minister Clare O’Neil was twice pursued by cameras,was asked the same question seven times and the government’s rushed bill was blocked by the opposition and the crossbench on Wednesday.
This was a humiliation for a government that wants to project a sense of command and control. Facing political pressure on borders,Labor threw good process overboard.
One of the nation’s most powerful public servants blindsided her ministers by releasing the criminal records of former detainees after the landmark High Court decision.
The freeing of the two men,who had their visas revoked over extensive criminal convictions,fuels accusations the government is sidestepping detainee cases that could lead to further mass releases.
Palestinian advocates are urging the Albanese government to grant the same rights to people fleeing the war in Gaza as Ukrainians received after Russia’s invasion.