November 23, 2023
Federal agencies will get more resources to monitor criminals released from immigration detention, after the West Australian police commissioner said his officers were powerless under the law to electronically track four child sex offenders living in the community.
While Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force have been charged with enforcing the new curfews and other reporting requirements rushed through parliament last week, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil was unable to say yesterday how many of the newly released detainees were wearing legally required ankle bracelets.
Speaking on Perth radio station 6PR on Tuesday, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said eight convicted child sex offenders were released from a detention centre following the High Court ruling that people held in immigration detention, many of whom have criminal convictions, could not be held indefinitely if they were unable to be deported to their country of origin.
Four of the eight had left WA, but another four were living in the WA community, Blanch said.
"I can guarantee we are monitoring these people with the highest level under our current regime of reportable offenders," he said, adding his officers did not have the power to monitor them electronically.
A well-placed source with knowledge of monitoring arrangements said more resources would be given to federal agencies to track people.
Comment has been sought from Victoria Police and NSW Police.
Asked on Nine's Today program whether the ankle bracelets were now being worn, O'Neil deferred to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. "I certainly know that many people have had those curfews and ankle monitoring bracelets rolled out," O'Neil said.
In a later press conference, when asked if she knew the number, she said: "I don't have specific numbers for you ... and as I say, Minister Giles is implementing the scheme, and he's going to provide updates."
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson labelled O'Neil's comments "a shocking admission of ineptitude from the government".
"Australians should be able to rely on our political leaders to keep them safe and informed, particularly when the issue at hand affects community safety," he said.
An AFP spokesman confirmed yesterday that it would not comment on its role in Operation Aegis, set up in response to the legal ruling.
Border Force will borrow equipment and services from state agencies, such as NSW Corrective Services, until it can work out a permanent way to monitor the detainees. It does not routinely electronically monitor people.
Law enforcement sources not authorised to speak publicly say it is likely concerns are being raised at the top levels about the legal backing for police forces to track former detainees.
'Many people have had curfews and ankle bracelets rolled out.' Clare O'Neil, Home Affairs Minister
