But while allcharges were dropped within hours once Victoria Police realised it was a case of mistaken identity,Ley’s post to social media site X remains online. Linking the issue to the byelection,Ley posted:“If you live in Frankston and you’ve got a problem with Victorian women being assaulted by foreign criminals,vote against Labor.
“If you do not want to see Australian women being assaulted by foreign criminals,vote against Labor. Send Labor a message.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “extraordinary” that Ley had refused to delete her post while Education Minister Jason Clare said the late Labor MP Peta Murphy,whosedeath in December triggered the byelection in Melbourne’s south-east,would be “disgusted”.
Appearing with Clare on a Seven’sSunrisepanel on Friday,Ley stood by the post. “Jason’s home affairs minister[Clare O’Neil] said every one of those individuals who is being let out,those hardened criminals,should be locked up … As a woman,I am not taking a backwards step on this,and I’m calling it out,” Ley said.
News of the ex-detainee’s initial arrest was seized on by the Coalition,which used it in question time on Thursday to accuse the government of compromising community safety with the release of 149 immigration detainees after the High Court in November ruled indefinite detention unlawful.