Former immigration detainees could be forced to wear ankle bracelets, even after the High Court ruled it illegal.
The context: The federal government has hastily passed new laws that would circumvent Wednesday’s High Court ruling that the moves were illegal.
Under the proposal, previously detained immigrants could still be subject to curfews and electronic monitoring bracelets if the Home Secretary is satisfied they pose a “substantial risk” of harming the Australian community by committing a serious offense.
Before the judgment, these measures were automatically imposed on all detainees, unless the minister decided otherwise.
The key quote: “Yesterday’s decision by the High Court is not what the Government wanted, but it is one we have prepared for. These visa conditions are designed to protect the community, not as a punitive measure. ” — Tony Burke, Home Secretary.
What else to know: The measures result from legislation imposed after a High Court ruling found indefinite detention unconstitutional.
This decision led to the release of 215 detained migrants and, as of mid-October, 126 of them were subject to a strict curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and 143 were forced to wear wristbands. ankles.
