Potential Mass Deportation of 80,000 Non-Citizens Ruled out in New Migration Bill

People on a relief boat approach a boat loaded with dozens of Rohingya refugees anchored off the coast of Labuhan Haji in Southern Aceh province on October 21, 2024. A boat loaded with more than 100 Rohingya refugees was spotted off Indonesia's westernmost province with at least one dead body seen on board, local officials said on October 19. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP) Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images

Concerns around mass deportation have been ruled out following the introduction of new migration laws.

“There was some bizarre speculation ... that we’re about to deport 80,000 people,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke told Sky News on Dec. 1.

“I’m not about to make some big, grand announcement of a mass deportation or anything like that.”

Following the Migration Bill amendment passing through Parliament, it was suggested that nearly 80,000 non-citizens would be susceptible to mass deportation.

Meanwhile, the new law has granted the immigration minister power to pay third countries to take people in immigration detention.

Purpose of the Migration Amendment

The bill was put forward to address security loopholes created when the High Court ruled that indefinite detention was illegal, resulting in the release of over 200 immigration detainees, many of whom had committed violent offences, including murder, domestic violence, and rape.

This drew criticism from the Coalition for failing to do more to keep the individuals of concern away from the community.

Burke said the new powers were a contingency to cover a small number of people who refused to leave voluntarily and obtained the services of a lawyer to remain.

Greens Senator David Shoebridge remains opposed to the law, singling out the hardline immigration policies of the Coalition as a threat, stating that a future minister could action the deportation of 80,000 people.

The migration bill also provides the power to ban visa classes, such as business visas, from nations that refuse to reclaim citizens Australia try to deport due to policies against accepting forcible removals.

Burke said this threat of visa bans had changed the attitudes of some countries.

Phone Ban in Detention Centres

A ban on mobile phones in detention centres also passed through Parliament with support from Labor and the Coalition.

Burke said that outlaw motorcycle gang members and those linked to organised crime have been trying to operate through detention centres.

With around 90 percent of people in immigration detention facilities having a criminal history, it was necessary to ensure criminal gangs could not operate out of them, he added.

When asked why the free communication of detainees needed to be blocked, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said community safety was the top priority.

“We will do what we need to do to keep Australians safe,” Albanese told ABC’s Insiders.

However, Shoebridge denounced the ban and said that it was up to the courts to determine criminal punishment with people convicted of crimes having served their time.

He said that if there was evidence of illicit behaviour, law enforcement could apply for a warrant and remove phones.

“People are not in immigration detention because they’ve committed a crime, they’re in immigration detention because of their visa status,” he said.

“The immigration system should deal with immigration matters, not be a quasi-criminal system.”

Additionally, Shoebridge said the ban would impede allegations and reports of human rights abuse.

Burke said detention centres must ensure that detainees who lose phone access can contact their family and lawyers another way.