Andrew Giles, the Minister for Immigration, introduced legislation granting him extraordinary powers to target countries resisting Australia's deportation efforts and detain individuals refusing to cooperate. Despite his colleagues' attempts to expedite the bill's passage, Giles failed to provide compelling arguments for its urgency.
Prior to his political career, Giles advocated for asylum seekers and refugees. However, his current actions have drawn criticism from former colleagues in the legal profession. The Labor Party, if in opposition, would likely oppose such legislation, citing concerns about procedural fairness.
Immigration remains a contentious issue in Australian politics, with Labor facing pressure to appear tough on border security. Independent Senator David Pocock questioned whether the government was setting the agenda or merely reacting to the opposition.
The government's justification for the legislation stems from the NZYQ High Court ruling, which deemed indefinite immigration detention unlawful. Labor has responded by introducing hasty legislation and modifying existing measures, drawing criticism for its lack of transparency.
The latest bill appears tailored to an upcoming High Court case involving an Iranian man resisting deportation. Commonwealth lawyers may view it as a means to prevent further releases from immigration detention. However, it also shields the government from scrutiny of its policies.
The government's pattern of behavior includes rushing legislation after the NZYQ decision, imposing strict conditions on released detainees, and then abruptly removing ankle bracelets after legal challenges. This raises questions about the government's motives and its willingness to answer for its actions.
The anger expressed by some politicians over Labor's attempt to expedite the legislation's passage highlights the importance of scrutinizing policy and legislation. The government's deadline for passing the bill into law has been met with resistance, particularly from crossbenchers concerned about its impact on individuals within Australia's immigration system.