In a contentious move that has outraged human rights advocates, Australia’s Labor government is pushing ahead with a trio of immigration bills that critics have dubbed a “cruelty package.” The proposed legislation, introduced before parliament this week, includes measures to deport non-citizens to third countries, confiscate mobile phones from detainees, and bar entry to people from certain nations.
Paying Countries to Accept Deportees
Central to the controversy is a bill that would amend the Migration Act to allow the government to deport non-citizens, including those not convicted of crimes, to third countries. The legislation also proposes paying these nations to accept the deportees as part of the removals regime.
While the Department of Home Affairs claims the changes would impact around 6,000 people, mostly those on bridging visas or in community detention, a parliamentary inquiry revealed the potential scope is far greater. Over 80,000 individuals could be affected by the amendments, which would grant extensive immunity to officials involved in the removals process.
These bills represent an unconscionable attack on the rights and dignity of some of the most vulnerable people in our community. It’s a cruelty package, plain and simple.
– Asylum Seeker Resource Centre spokesperson
Opposition Mounts to “Trump-Style” Visa Bans
Compounding the concerns is another bill that would give the home affairs minister unilateral power to ban entire visa classes for citizens of countries deemed uncooperative in accepting returned nationals. While no definitive list has been released, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and South Sudan have been floated as potential targets.
The Greens have labeled the proposal a “Trump-style ban” and vowed to block it in the Senate, where Labor lacks a majority. The Coalition and crossbench had previously joined the Greens in rejecting similar legislation introduced in March.
Phones Confiscated, Sniffer Dogs Deployed
A third bill in the package has also drawn condemnation for its provisions to confiscate mobile phones from immigration detainees and deploy sniffer dogs in detention centers. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke argued the powers are needed to combat a “prison-like” culture, but legal experts warn of “arbitrary and inconsistent” application.
Removing mobile phones and subjecting detainees to invasive search procedures is not only cruel, it’s a recipe for further isolating and traumatizing an already vulnerable population.
– Immigration law expert
Uphill Battle Ahead
As the parliamentary session draws to a close, the fate of the contentious bills remains uncertain. Labor faces an uphill battle to secure crossbench support in the Senate, with the Greens and key independents vowing to oppose the measures.
However, the government appears determined to push ahead, with the Coalition likely to lend its votes to pass the legislation. For asylum seeker advocates, the fight is far from over as they rally to protect the rights of those caught in the crosshairs of Australia’s hardline immigration regime.
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: Australia’s approach to immigration and asylum remains a deeply divisive and emotive issue, with no easy solutions in sight. For now, all eyes are on parliament as the nation awaits the outcome of this high-stakes legislative showdown.
