Speaking ahead of a fresh High Court hearing on immigration detention that takes place next month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that “community safety” is the government’s top priority.
A prior court decision before the end of 2023 resulted in the release of 151 immigration detainees, some of whom had criminal convictions.
An additional challenge is expected next month from an Iranian detainee who declined to go back to his home country, citing fears of persecution due to his sexual orientation.
A federal judge had earlier ruled against the man’s release.
The appeal from the unidentified detainee will be contested by the government.
The number of persons who might be freed in the event that the High Court rules in favor of the inmate is unknown, but Albanese said this morning on Weekend Today that the administration was “doing everything that we can.”
“We’re not above the High Court, no government is,” he stated.
“Therefore, we are reacting suitably. We’re taking all necessary steps to guarantee that community safety comes first.”
Prior to this, Albanese and other prominent government officials expressed their preference for the High Court not to issue the decision that it did.
The administration came under fire for seeming ill-prepared for the decision and for rushing to put monitoring on the detainees who were allowed to return to society.
