A group of Labor lawmakers has raised objections to certain aspects of the government's migration bill, specifically targeting provisions that would grant the immigration minister broader powers to compel deportations. The concerns stem from the belief that these measures could impinge on various human rights protections. These dissenting voices come from members of the parliament's human rights committee, which is responsible for evaluating proposed bills to ensure alignment with Australia's human rights commitments.
The contentious bill, currently before the Senate, seeks to empower the immigration minister with new tools to address challenges in deporting individuals who are difficult to remove from the country. This includes the ability to issue directives that individuals must comply with, such as applying for a passport in their home country against their will. Non-compliance with such directives could result in a minimum prison sentence of one year, extending up to five years, a move that has sparked concerns about potential violations of rights to liberty and fair trials.
The bill's primary focus is on a specific group of non-citizens who lack legal grounds to stay in Australia but are reluctant to cooperate with deportation efforts, particularly those from countries like Iran that do not accept involuntary returns. Additionally, the proposed legislation encompasses around 10,000 non-citizens whose refugee claims were rejected via a fast-track UN assessment process deemed flawed. Moreover, if enacted, the bill could have implications beyond this targeted population, potentially affecting a wide range of visa holders, including tourists, students, and refugees. The legislation also includes provisions for reversing refugee status assessments and imposing travel bans on countries that resist facilitating deportations.