Enhanced Community Safety through Visa Cancellations
Community safety is now the top priority when determining if a criminal’s visa should remain revoked under a new directive.
The immigration minister has faced criticism for an order allowing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to overturn cancellations if the person had strong ties to Australia.
This directive is among the key factors the AAT must consider when deciding on visa cancellations, alongside family violence offenses and community interests.
Cabinet minister Murray Watt emphasized that community safety is now the primary focus above all else in visa cancellation decisions.
The Australian community expects safety to be the top priority, and this change in directive makes that unequivocally clear.
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The revision in directive was prompted by ongoing political attacks on Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, whose decision led to dangerous criminals retaining their visas rather than being deported.
Discussions between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led to this directive to prevent the deportation of Kiwis with no ties to New Zealand.
In one case involving 74-year-old Charles William Davidson from Scotland, who committed multiple sexual assaults, Senator Watt showed no sympathy.
Maintaining community safety is paramount, above all other factors, in decisions regarding visa cancellations.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson stressed the need for a stronger focus on community safety, prioritizing Australian interests above all.
Despite department officials admitting to not briefing the minister on key cases where visas could be reinstated, calls for Mr. Giles’ dismissal persist.
Mr. Giles has consistently emphasized that community safety is the government’s top priority.
