25 Immigration Detainees Charged Since Release, Emergency Powers Not Being Used

When a High Court ruling on indefinite immigration detention triggered the release of 149 people in December 2023, the Albanese government scrambled to pass emergency legislation bringing in community safety or supervision orders, which would see freed detainees locked up again, or subject to strict surveillance, if they reoffended. Since then, 25 have been charged, but no applications for orders have been made. Instead, as of Jan. 31, 113 released detainees had ankle monitoring bracelets placed on and were subject to curfews. Of the 149 people who were released following the ruling, seven had previously committed murder or attempted murder; 37 sexual-based offending, including child sex offending; 72 assault and violent offending, including kidnapping and armed robbery; 16 domestic violence and stalking; and 13 serious drug offending....