In a significant political move, the Coalition has secured key amendments to the Albanese government’s controversial migration bills, enabling their passage through Parliament. These bills grant the government broad powers to manage deportations and detention, including the ability to pay third countries to accept non-citizens and penalize individuals who refuse to cooperate with their deportation.
On Wednesday, Shadow Ministers James Paterson and Dan Tehan celebrated the agreement, with Tehan stating the Coalition is “basically running the immigration system” due to what he described as the government’s failure to manage it effectively.
The three bills—expected to pass by Wednesday evening—introduce sweeping changes. They allow the Australian government to negotiate deals with third countries to take non-citizens, impose criminal penalties for deportation non-compliance, and expand detention center powers, including drug searches and phone confiscations.
Amendments Secured by Coalition
The Coalition negotiated several amendments, including a three-year sunset clause on powers to ban visa applications from countries that refuse deportations, and a requirement for ministers to provide detailed reasons for imposing such bans.
The government also agreed to implement recommendations from the Nixon migration review. These include requiring protection visa applicants to use authorized providers, introducing criminal background checks similar to Canada’s, and expediting merit reviews for rejected study and tourist visas.
Criticism from the Greens and Advocacy Groups
The deal has drawn sharp criticism from the Greens, with Senator David Shoebridge accusing the government of collaborating with Peter Dutton to push through extreme migration laws.
“This is the most draconian migration legislation since the White Australia policy,” Shoebridge said. “Labor is handing the Coalition a gift they could never pass on their own.”
Advocacy groups have also raised alarms. Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, warned the legislation could allow Australia to replicate the UK’s controversial Rwanda plan, potentially sending vulnerable refugees to countries with poor human rights records.
“There’s nothing to prevent Australia from sending someone to a country where it’s illegal to be gay or where their safety is at risk,” Karapanagiotidis said.
Detention Center Concerns
The Greens and other critics condemned provisions that reintroduce ankle bracelets and curfews for detainees. Advocacy groups and independent MPs argued these measures undermine human rights, with MP Kylea Tink remarking that voters could see “no difference” between Labor and the Coalition on these issues.
Legal and International Concerns
Human rights organizations, including the Law Council and UNHCR, expressed concern that the laws do not require third countries accepting non-citizens to be signatories to the Refugee Convention. The Albanese government defended the legislation, stating Australia would honor its international obligations and ensure human rights protections “as a matter of policy.”
Future of Migration Policy
Despite the controversy, the bills are poised to become law, marking a hardline shift in Australia’s migration policies. The Coalition has pledged to hold the government accountable for implementing agreed changes while continuing to shape immigration policy.
This legislative overhaul underscores a broader political debate on how Australia balances national security, human rights, and its international obligations in managing migration.