The Squiz

There’s a whole lot of heat on the Albanese Government at the moment after it was confirmed yesterday that 3 offenders recently released from immigration detention a couple of weeks ago are already in trouble with the law. That includes one convicted sex offender who’s facing fresh charges of indecent assault – that’s 65yo Aliyawar Yawari, who was arrested on Saturday night at an Adelaide hotel. It prompted the Coalition to demand the resignations of Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. Coalition Immigration spokesman Dan Tehan says they “need to own up to their disastrous handling of this issue”. 

Back it up a bit…

Remember in early November the High Court ruled it was illegal to keep people in immigration detention indefinitely? That led to 148 people being released, and O’Neil and Giles conceded the majority of them were serious offenders – including convicted murderers and convicted rapists. So they are now scrambling to pass laws to get most of those men back behind bars through measures allowing the ‘preventative detention’ of those considered a high risk of reoffending. And while the Coalition’s been scathing of the government’s handling of the whole affair, those laws will pass Parliament this week – Peter Dutton says “we’ll support bills that are going to keep Australians safe”.

Anything else happening in Canberra?

We’re glad you asked because it’s going to be a big day… National Cabinet is meeting – that’s when the Premiers and Chief Ministers get together with the PM. And there’s one agenda item getting a lot of attention. The Albanese Government is pushing the states/territories to help rein in the costs of the National Disability Insurance Scheme after the scheme was forecast to cost more than $100 billion each year by 2032. PM Anthony Albanese wants the states/territories to take back responsibility for treating early developmental problems and mild autism because they weren’t meant to be part of the original NDIS. So far, the states are pretty yeah/nah to the idea – NSW Premier Chris Minns is one who says it’s “not likely” a deal will be struck today.