Young migrant thugs could be ordered to leave Australia under Turnbull government plan

Annika Smethurst, National politics reporter,
Herald Sun
February 2, 2017 

YOUNG migrant thugs could be locked up and ordered to leave Australia when they turn 18 under a two strikes policy being considered by the Turnbull Government as part of a radical crackdown on gang violence.

Violent offenders, including associates of the notorious Apex gang would also face a tougher path to citizenship and the ‘character test’ for migrants strengthened as the Federal Government moves to intervene in the state’s youth crime wave. 

Senior cabinet ministers fed up with violence sweeping the state are backing the reforms which would also include the creation of two anti-gang hubs in crime hot spots in Melbourne’s west and southeast where a joint task force of Australia Federal Police, Victoria Police would work alongside social workers and migration officers to tackle crime.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told the Herald Sun he has an “open mind” to strengthening migration laws for dangerous dual citizens and would “examine the proposal urgently to see if this can be part of the solution”. 

“For all Victorians this is a red hot issue and it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible,” Mr Dutton told the Herald Sun. 

“The Commonwealth is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the community and is keen to look at additional measures off the back of the success with outlaw motorcycle gangs.”

Health Minister and Victorian MP Greg Hunt said the level of violent crime in Victoria was unacceptable.

Under the Migration Act, visas are automatically cancelled for dual nationals who are sentenced to 12 months or more in jail or have been convicted of a sexual crime involving a child.

Under the proposal, any term of imprisonment would trigger a visa cancellation and people involved in gang-related crime would also be forced to wait 10 years to become a citizen. Currently residents can apply for citizenship after four years in Australia.

Juvenile offenders involved in gang crime who cannot be deported would be issued with an official warning from the Minister.

If they fail to curb their behaviour, they could be locked up in migration detention and have their visas cancelled when they reach the age of 18.

The gang crackdown is the brainchild of Victorian backbench MP and former policeman Jason Wood who was recently was recently the victim of an aggravated burglary.

Mr Wood said the State Government’s police recruitment drive would take years to produce results but believes a joint task force operating in gang hot spots would deliver immediate results.

“When I witnessed the Moomba riots I could see that there was a small window of opportunity to hit the Apex Gang hard through a joint federal and state approach,” Mr Wood said.

“This crisis in crime prevention and control is not a Federal responsibility, but given our community is living in constant fear of becoming the next victim, the Federal Government need to take the reins off the failing State Government.”

The Herald Sun understands a number of the proposals were raised in cabinet last year and the Prime Minister has been briefed on the reforms.

But some senior ministers have reservations about further tightening migration laws just three years after the act was amended, to make it easier for the Government to strip visas from non-citizens. 

Health Minister and Victorian MP Greg Hunt said the level of violent crime in Victoria was unacceptable and needed action.

“These proposals are about trying to find a real way to fill the gap created by the State Government which has been unforgivingly soft on crime,” Mr Hunt said.

“As a Victorian, I can’t sit by and watch as families and communities simply feel unsafe.”

Kelly O’Dwyer, whose Melbourne electorate has experienced a spate of burglaries and carjackings, said the state was under siege and “sensible suggestions” should be considered.

“We have to consider all measures to keep us safe,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

“This endemic crime surge under the state labour Government cannot be tolerated.”