Doorstop, Federal Press Gallery

29 May 2024

JANE HUME: What we saw yesterday was yet another profound failure in the Home Affairs portfolio. Minister Giles gave direction, Direction 99 more than a year ago, and I can't understand what he expected to happen. Of course, criminals were going to be released if you direct the AAT to make those considerations when deciding whether to revoke a visa or not revoke the visa. This should come as no surprise because they've been incompetent after incompetence in this portfolio. Quite frankly, Anthony Albanese needs to stop running protection racket for Minister Giles and start protecting the Australian people. Minister Giles needs to go today. If he doesn't resign, he must resign. He must be sacked, to save the lives of Australian people that are now under threat because of criminals that are wondering because of decisions that he has made. Anthony Albanese needs to sack Minister Giles and we need to repeal, revoke immediately Direction 99.

JOURNALIST: The Government’s been pretty clear it doesn't agree with the team's decisions and a range of use cases. What do you make of that argument that there is a distinction between decisions made by the AAT and decisions made by the minister?

JANE HUME: There is no doubt that the AAT is an independent decision making body but it responds to directions given by government. This was a decision by this government by this Minister to make the AAT consider ties to Australia when making its decision as to whether to revoke a visa or not. They are only responding to directions by government. That's why Direction 99 needs to be revoked today, immediately. But more importantly, there needs to be consequences for making these foolish decisions. Minister Giles made this decision intentionally; it was a decision of government and Australians are paying a price. Minister Giles should pay the price by resigning today. And if he chooses not to resign, he has to be sacked. He has to be sacked.

JOURNALIST: Direction 99 makes family ties one of five considerations that the AAT has to think about in these visa cancellation decisions. Is it really that problematic since it's balanced with other considerations?

JANE HUME: Well I would ask the victims of the crimes that have been committed whether this is really problematic. I would ask the victims of the crimes whether Direction 99 was a good idea or a bad idea, because quite frankly, those crimes would not have been committed had it not have been decisions by this minister. Those crimes would not have been committed if it wasn't for decisions by this government. Foolish, reckless decisions. And now somebody's got to pay a price for that. Minister Giles needs to resign today. If he doesn't resign, he needs to be sacked by Anthony Albanese otherwise, it's a sign of extraordinary weak leadership by this Prime Minister.

JOURNALIST: What do you think of the original problem which this Direction was looking to solve which is deportations to New Zealand? People with longstanding ties to Australia, very few ties to New Zealand, we saw getting understandably pretty upset about that situation. How would you solve that original problem if not for Direction 99?

JANE HUME: I think Australians have a right to know that the hospitality that they present to those non-citizens shouldn't be abused. We shouldn't have our goodwill taken advantage of by non-citizens who insist on going out and committing crimes. Quite frankly, I think that the decision of lenience from Minister Giles in these circumstances was ill considered. Clearly he didn't take advice on what the consequences will be. Now that said the Coalition was very clear back when the Direction was made, that there would be consequences for this decision and lo and behold that's what's happened. Minister Giles needs to resign or Anthony Albanese needs to sack him today, and direction needs to be revoked today.

JOURNALIST: This direction addresses people who have long standing ties to Australia. There's plenty of Australian citizens who are committing crimes similar or worse than the people in this thing, like why should, like why is it worth that these people are committing crimes and staying in Australia when they have those long standing ties and you know, only know life in Australia?

JANE HUME: Australian Governments have a responsibility to Australian citizens, not to citizens of other countries, if citizens of other countries are in Australia committing crimes in Australia that can go back to where they originally came from. Because quite frankly, it is Australian citizens that are being put at risk.