The Senate has rejected the government's attempt to expedite legislation granting extraordinary immigration powers. The bill, which aimed to facilitate the deportation of non-citizens, passed the House of Representatives with Coalition support but was blocked in the Senate. The Greens and crossbench senators voted with the Coalition to refer the bill to a Senate legal committee for review, with a report due by May 7.
The legislation was reportedly prompted by an ongoing High Court case involving an Iranian man (ASF17) who is resisting deportation due to fears of persecution. The government has recently faced the release of 150 immigration detainees following a separate High Court ruling.
Senator Katy Gallagher criticized the opposition for blocking the bill, accusing them of siding with the Greens and failing to act in the national interest. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil emphasized the need for the legislation but provided limited details.
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi condemned both major parties for exploiting human suffering for political gain. She expressed concern about the bill's excessive ministerial powers, which have been described as "god-like" by the Human Rights Law Centre.
Opposition senators expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the legislation and its potential consequences. They questioned the urgency of the bill, its impact on upcoming High Court cases, and the availability of third-country resettlement options. Human rights experts have also raised concerns about the substance of the legislation and the government's handling of the process.