Up to 100 overstayers suspected as games visas expire

PRESSURE is mounting on Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to reveal exactly how many Commonwealth Games athletes and officials have overstayed their visas or sought asylum.

PRESSURE is mounting on Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to reveal exactly how many Commonwealth Games athletes and officials have overstayed their visas or sought asylum.

Initially just 11 African athletes were believed to have slipped out of the games village — some before they had even competed — during the closing stages of the Gold Coast event.

But immigration lawyers who helped some of the athletes have suggested the number was 19 or more and Mr Dutton was repeatedly asked on radio this week if there could be up to 100 overstayers.

The farewell at the closing ceremony from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. For some athletes, the party was just getting started.

Greens Senator Nick McKim said he would press department officials on the true number during Senate estimates hearings next week.

The games visas expired on Tuesday night, meaning athletes who had not secured a bridging visa by then became non-lawful citizens facing detention or deportation.

The Daily Telegraph revealed this week some of the athletes had travelled to Sydney to seek legal advice at Randwick’s Refugee Advice and Casework Service.

One group is believed to be living in Western Sydney, while another has reportedly settled in Canberra.

The Australia squad arrives during the opening ceremony.

Some of the athletes have been granted bridging visas while their protection visas are being considered but it is not known how many are here illegally.

Australian Border Force ­announced a “dedicated operation” to hunt down athletes without visas.

“ABF will be rounding these people up and deporting them as quickly as possible,” Mr Dutton told 2GB.

But he said once athletes had landed in Australia, there was an obligation to consider any applications.

“Once they’re here on our soil, they’re into our system, so that means they get the legal protections,” Mr Dutton said.

Singers perform during the closing ceremony.

“And like most Australians, I shake my head sometimes when you look at the conditions and the protections.

“Some of these people have more legal rights than Australian citizens themselves.”

The athletes are believed to include five boxers and three wrestlers from Cameroon, two athletes from Uganda and a Rwandan Paralympic powerlifting coach.

They left the village in groups of two or three and in some cases did not even pack their belongings.

Originally published as Up to 100 overstayers suspected as games visas expire