‘Trump-Like’ Ban: Tough New Immigration Laws Rejected at Senate Hearing

From the Law Council to refugees, the Bill, which would give wide-ranging powers of deportation to the immigration minister, was criticised by submitters.

A general view of the High Court of Australia in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 5, 2020. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

New immigration laws that would jail anyone who do not cooperate with their deportation met resistance from a wide range of legal experts and community groups.

The Australian government’s attempt to head off an impending High Court ruling that risks seeing more immigration detainees freed was blocked in the Parliament and referred to a Senate Committee, which held a one-day hearing on April 15.