More than 800 Australian visa holders had their visas cancelled in 2018 for serious crimes according to the Australian government.
Of the 500 involved in violent offences, 13 committed murder, seven for manslaughter, 125 for assault, and 56 for armed robbery.
Strengthening Character Provisions
Since 2014, 4150 non-citizen criminals were stripped of their Australian visas after additional mandatory cancellation provisions were added to the Migration Act.The changes state a non-citizen’s visa must be cancelled, if they are sentenced to 12 months or more in prison or have been convicted of a child sex offence.
More than 800 non-citizens were stripped of their visas last year for violent crimes.@JasonFalinskiMP: This is part of our program to make sure the Australian community is safe.
MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/Xbv4BSV2ea
Designated offences include violence, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and the use or possession of weapons whereby the offence carries a two year or more maximum jail sentence.
The Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2018 is expected to be debated in the first sitting period of 2019.
Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the government is sending a strong message to non-citizen law breakers.
“Over the past five years, the government has stripped 4150 non-citizens of their visas after committing serious and abhorrent crimes, such as child sex offences, domestic violence assaults, and murder,” Coleman said.
New Zealanders Make Up Majority
According to News Corp, New Zealanders made up many of those who had their Australian visas revoked.Among them are New Zealand bikie Jim Thacker, and Rebels motorcycle gang boss Aaron “AJ” Graham. Thacker was involved in a brawl and Graham’s visa was revoked on character grounds.
Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin’s father, Shane Martin, was also deported to New Zealand weeks before his son played in the AFL Grand Final.
Last year 300 visas were revoked in New South Wales, 190 in Queensland, 160 in Victoria, 120 in Western Australia, and 30 in South Australia.
“Foreign nationals who think they can flout our laws and harm Australian citizens should expect to have their visa cancelled,” Coleman said. "It is a privilege to enter and remain in Australia and we have no tolerance for those who put Australians in danger.”