Asylum seeking criminal vanishes after being released from immigration detention – while four others refuse to wear ankle monitoring devices
Four asylum-seeking criminals released from immigration detention have refused to wear ankle monitoring devices, while one remains missing.
The Australian Federal Police cannot contact any of the detainees who are not wearing the device, while refusing to specify what crimes they have committed.
Of the 138 detainees, 132 are wearing the bracelets, two cases are under investigation due to health concerns and four have outright refused to wear them.
Australian Border Police Commissioner Michael Outram said on Monday the four who refused to wear the surveillance equipment were considered “lower risk” in terms of the extent of the offenses but would still be investigated.
The asylum seekers were released on November 8 after a High Court ruling ruled that indefinite detention was unlawful, with three murderers and a number of sex offenders among those now in the public.
The Albanian government and opposition rushed to pass emergency legislation imposing strict monitoring requirements, including ankle bracelets, for those released from detention.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will release on Tuesday the reasons for releasing more than 100 fugitives from indefinite detention – specifically why it decided to release a detainee known as NZYQ who was convicted of child rape.
The court is expected to announce its findings shortly after 2 p.m.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to detain refugees indefinitely, regardless of serious crimes such as murder and child sexual abuse.
It comes as it was revealed the ABF did not have the resources to fit detainees’ ankle bracelets and tough new laws were introduced to Parliament on Monday.
“When this law was passed in Parliament, ABF did not own an electronic monitoring bracelet and had never worn one,” Home Secretary Clare O’Neil said.
New laws will make it an offense for released prisoners to work with children or vulnerable people, go within 200 meters of a school or childcare facility, or have contact with a victim or their family.
The ABF and other agencies dealing with the released prisoners will also be given new powers to use and disclose information obtained from the bracelets.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said Labor is working to ensure “these strict rules are robust and sustainable”.
“Talking strong will not keep Australians strong and I want to be very clear: we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring Australia’s security,” Mr Giles said.
It comes as Home Secretary Clare O’Neil (pictured on Monday) revealed the ABF did not have the resources to fit ankle monitors to newly released prisoners.
In addition to the new laws, the government will provide $255 million in funding to help agencies track down and prosecute those who violate their visa conditions.
The ABF will receive the lion’s share of the funding, $150 million, to hire additional staff to conduct investigations, surveillance and removals.
The AFP will receive $88 million for response teams to investigate visa breaches.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions was awarded $17 million to help increase its capacity to prosecute released prisoners who violate the terms.
Ms O’Neil said the funding will help agencies free up more resources needed to retain released prisoners in the future.
“We have only one priority and that is to protect the safety of the community within the limits of the law,” she told reporters.