Eight murderers and 56 child-sex offenders were among 781 non-citizens who had their visas cancelled on character grounds in the first nine months of last year.
Figures obtained by The Australian show the number of visa cancellations has increased dramatically since Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was given tougher powers, which came into effect in December 2014, to act against non-citizens convicted and given jail sentences of more than 12 months.
The 781 visa cancellations in the nine months to September 30 compares with 372 in the three years to July 2014.
However, the visa cancellation has been challenged in about 70 per cent of cases, or 552 of the 781 visas. Depending on the circumstances, the decision to cancel a visa can be challenged through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the courts.
Of the 67 revocation requests that have been decided, 24 (36 per cent) of the cancellations were revoked and the visas were reinstated.
Immigration Department figures reveal the top five nations for visa cancellations were: New Zealand, Britain, Sudan, Vietnam and Fiji. In the first nine months of the year, 146 New Zealanders were deported.
Mr Dutton told The Australian: “ If you are here on a visa and you break the law, your visa will be cancelled. The Australian public would expect nothing less.’’
Violence-related offences including destroying and damaging property and assault accounted for nearly 37 per cent of the visa cancellations between December 11, 2014, and September 30.
Thirty non-citizens had their visas cancelled for rape or other sexual offences while 30 had their visas cancelled for fraud deception and white-collar crimes. Sixty non-
However, the visa cancellation has been challenged in about 70 per cent of cases, or 552 of the 781 visas. Depending on the circumstances, the decision to cancel a visa can be challenged through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the courts.
Of the 67 revocation requests that have been decided, 24 (36 per cent) of the cancellations were revoked and the visas were reinstated.
Immigration Department figures reveal the top five nations for visa cancellations were: New Zealand, Britain, Sudan, Vietnam and Fiji. In the first nine months of the year, 146 New Zealanders were deported.
Mr Dutton told The Australian: “ If you are here on a visa and you break the law, your visa will be cancelled. The Australian public would expect nothing less.’’
Violence-related offences including destroying and damaging property and assault accounted for nearly 37 per cent of the visa cancellations between December 11, 2014, and September 30.
Thirty non-citizens had their visas cancelled for rape or other sexual offences while 30 had their visas cancelled for fraud deception and white-collar crimes.
Sixty non-citizens had visas cancelled for theft, robbery or breaking and entering while 58 had their visas cancelled for armed robbery.
There were six visa cancellations for manslaughter, one for kidnapping and 95 for drug offences.
The Immigration Department told a Senate estimates committee last year the number of people in detention as a result of mandatory cancellation was “higher than anticipated’’.
It reflected the large number of people whose visas were mandatorily cancelled because they were already serving a prison sentence when the new legislation was introduced.
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That'll free up a bit of space in our gaols!
