Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has canceled seven visas as he works with a total of 30 required for urgent review.
Giles has been forced to defend his job as he fights to fix the detainee crisis and rewrite the rule, called ministerial direction 99, which is used to allow violent criminals with close links to Australia to stay, including serial rapists and peophiles
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was forced to defend his immigration minister in Question Time on Wednesday, and this morning on ABC AM Giles justified why he still had his job.
Under pressure: Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“[I have my role] because there's a lot of work to be done to clean up the mess, to rebuild an immigration system that was left broken,” he said as host Sabra Lane pressed him repeatedly.
Albanese told the House during question time yesterday that they would rewrite ministerial direction 99, and Giles said this morning that it would be published as soon as it was ready.
“Last night I met with my senior officials in the department to ensure that the expectations I have set out in parliament are put into practice,” he said.
loading
“We believe that these decisions [on whether to allow visa holders to stay in Australia] they must be guided by two clear principles, the protection of the Australian community and common sense.”
Giles also confirmed that there were around 30 visas under urgent review.
“In the last few days, I have canceled seven visas, I am considering as we speak … there are about 30 that I have withdrawn with absolute urgency, I have been busy day and night,” he said.
Department of the Interior Secretary Stephanie Foster told estimates Tuesday and Wednesday that her department had not notified Giles about those cases, blaming budget constraints.
“What has been unacceptable is the fact that these decisions by the AAT, to overturn cancellations that were made under direction 99, that were made by this government, by my department… I don't they said those cancellations had been overturned by the court. . This is the problem that I am deeply concerned about and that is what I am focusing on solving now,” he said.
