Asylum seekers refuse to wear ankle bracelets – as Albanese government admits ABF officers were unprepared to enforce new rules
Four of the 138 asylum seekers released from indefinite detention are being investigated after refusing to wear ankle bracelets.
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 legislation imposing strict monitoring requirements, including ankle monitors, for those released from detention.
Of the 138 asylum seekers, 132 are currently wearing the monitoring anklets, while two cases are under investigation for health concerns and four outright refused to wear them.
ABF commissioner Michael Outram on Monday said the four who refused the bracelets are considered ‘lower risk’ in terms of the extent of the offenses but will still be investigated.
The federal government is still working to restore the hasty legislation after it was revealed that the ABF did not have the resources to put on the ankle bracelets
ABF commissioner Michael Outram said on Monday that the four who refused the bracelets are considered ‘lower risk’ in terms of the extent of the offenses
The federal government is still working to restore the hasty legislation after it emerged that the ABF did not have the resources to put on the ankle monitors. The Western Australia reported.
“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.
The new laws, tabled in Parliament on Monday, 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.
A detainee remains in accommodation in Sydney following the High Court’s ruling against indefinite detention
In addition to the new laws, the government has also allocated $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 Australian Federal Police will receive $88 million for response teams to investigate visa breaches.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions was given $17 million to help increase his capacity to prosecute released prisoners who violate the terms.
Ms O’Neil said the funding will help agencies provide more resources needed to retain released prisoners in the future.
“We have one priority and that is to protect the safety of the community within the limits of the law,” she said, according to the Daily Telegraph.