Thread by @andrewjgiles

You always hear the Morrison Govt say how they are tough on
crime and they deport foreign criminals, but every now and then a story emerges
which should be cause for concern. Time for a thread (one the Minister for Home Affairs or Immigration Minister definitely won’t like)

It’s important that Australia has laws which keep Australians safe – and that includes being able to cancel the visas of non-citizens who are criminals or may be a threat to our community.

These laws mean Australia can deport non-citizens who are serious criminals or stop them or anti-vaxxers or extremists from entering in the first place. When they are administered incorrectly, it means someone (hint: the Home Affairs or Immi Minister) isn’t doing their job.

Now here comes the concerning part… we’re seeing these errors happen on an increasing basis. This week, there were reports of a person being deported
while a legal challenge to his visa cancellation was underway. smh.com.au/politics/feder…

People may say “good riddance" or "problem dealt with”. But if you’re a Minister and don’t do the process properly, you leave your decisions open to legal challenge (which can be very costly to the taxpayer). Remember- the rule of law is fundamental to our democratic society.

Late last year, the Directors of Public Prosecution from all States and Territories wrote a letter to the Department of Home Affairs because the Government was allowing accused criminals to be deported BEFORE they were facing court.
heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order…

Under the Department of Home Affairs’ rules someone could:
- Come to Australia.
- Commit any number of serious crimes.
- Ask to be deported before facing court.
- Be deported.
- Never face court or consequences for their crime.
buzzfeed.com/hannahryan/ser…

At the time, it was also said the Government’s own rules could – wait for it – threaten national security. smh.com.au/politics/feder…

The Morrison Government was forced into an embarrassing backflip in under 7 days. theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/…

Confusion and incompetence run deep in the Morrison Government and needs to be called out. It’s all well and true to say you’re tough on criminals and
keeping Australians safe… it’s another thing to do your job properly.