Sunrise host Nat Barr has blasted a Labor politician over the Government’s hasty introduction of laws to monitor 84 hardened criminals released into the community following a High Court ruling.
The country’s highest court has ruled that indefinite immigration detention is unlawful and that detainees must be released.
The decision prompted Labor to introduce emergency legislation this week, including mandatory ankle bracelets and curfews.
Three of those released are murderers, one of whom murdered a pregnant woman in Malaysia, and another previously jailed for the rape of a 10-year-old boy in Sydney.
Education Minister Jason said on Friday’s program that in his 16 years in parliament he had never seen laws passed so quickly, but Barr told him hardworking Australians were unimpressed by the cost of monitoring these offenders.
“Jason $180,000 a month. That is the estimate on top of social benefits, housing. Can you understand why the taxpayers are not happy?
‘Yes, I understand. But this isn’t about money. This is about safety.
‘If it were up to us, these people would still be sought out. But that’s not an option. The Supreme Court has ordered that these people be released. We had to do that.
“And that’s why we had to pass these laws to make sure we keep Australians safe.”
This led Barr to question why the government had not drawn up a “contingency plan” in advance.
“Jason, why did you just pass them yesterday? You have, by your own admission, argued very strongly against their release, but yesterday these laws were rushed through. Why not sooner?’ Barr said.
‘You put a positive spin on it. This made your government look bad, didn’t it, because it made you look flat-footed for not passing these laws before it happened.
‘You must have known this was possible. These murders and rapists could have escaped.
Sunrise host Nat Barr branded the government ‘flat-footed’ after rushing to pass laws following the Supreme Court’s ruling on indefinite detention
Education Minister Jason Clare (centre) said he has never passed legislation so quickly in his 16 years in Parliament
Mr Clare fired back, saying the legislative process should take place after the Supreme Court ruling.
“You have to make sure that the laws are written to respond to the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said.
‘Otherwise they don’t work.
‘The Australian people are disgusted by this decision. If we had our way, these people would still be locked up,” he added.
The legislation was passed in parliament late on Thursday evening, with changes approved by the government and the coalition.
The bill, which was quickly passed by parliament, will impose conditions on former detainees, such as ankle tracking devices and a curfew.
Under the amendments, electronic monitoring and curfews would be made mandatory, rather than being a power of the immigration minister, while those affected would be barred from participating in organized activities involving children.
Former detainees would also not be allowed to be within 150 meters of a school or daycare center, while those convicted of sexual assault or violent crimes could have a no-contact condition on their visas.
Each visa violation would be considered a separate crime, with mandatory minimum sentences imposed.
“The good news is that, with the cameras off, the two major parties, Labor and Liberal, have worked well behind the scenes over the course of this week to bring this legislation into effect,” Mr Clare explained.
‘What it shows is that if Parliament wants to work, it can work. That happened in the last 24 hours.”
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles introduced the changes following the Supreme Court ruling last week, which found indefinite detention was unlawful.
The laws will apply to the more than 80 detainees released since the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The opposition had pressured the government over the potential threat posed by criminals, including three murderers and a number of sex offenders, being released into the community.
Mr Giles said the safety of the community remains the top priority.
“From the moment the Supreme Court ruled, we have taken measures to keep the community safe,” he told parliament.
Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said the laws were a good first step after the High Court ruling.
“We have taken some important steps to keep the community safe. “We still think further steps need to be taken, but that is a debate for another day,” he said.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government agreed in principle to the changes.
“The basis on which we are doing this is because we are in a position where this needs to be resolved immediately,” he told parliament.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticized the amendments as an “absolute disgrace” and an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
“I know there are members of the Labor Party hanging their heads in shame,” she said.
“They know it’s wrong and immoral to ram this piece of legislation through.”
Liberal Senator James Paterson criticized Albanese for dodging responsibility by flying abroad “while criminals remain free to roam the streets.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is currently in the US for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit
Senate leader Penny Wong urged the opposition to stop “playing politics” and pass the legislation as soon as possible to keep Australians safe.
Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said the “draconian laws” would give the minister powers never before seen in Australia, and the passing of the legislation was a “dark day”.
“It’s a total disgrace, a despicable, cowardly capitulation by a party (Labour) that has forgotten where it came from and forgotten what it used to stand for,” he said.
The laws would create a two-tier justice system for some migrants and refugees compared to Australians, he said.
New visa requirements for the released prisoners will force them to inform the government of any change of address or of any association with clubs, organizations or individuals involved in illegal activities.