Violent migrants would be deported at 18

VIOLENT thugs as young as 16 could be booted out of the country as part of a sweeping overhaul of Australia’s ­mig­ration system.

CCTV footage released by NSW police shows a brawl involving about 30 youths during which three young men were stabbed.

VIOLENT thugs as young as 16 could be booted out of the country as part of a sweeping overhaul of Australia’s ­mig­ration system.

A parliamentary committee tasked with investigating the reasons some migrant groups integrate better than others has recommended automatically cancelling the visas of criminals convicted of violent offences, including assault and aggravated burglary.

In an unprecedented move, the tough new measures would also apply to young offenders aged between 16 and 18, who would be deported to their country of birth once they reach 18.

Currently visas are only automatically cancelled if an offender is sentenced to 12 months or more in jail or ­convicted of a sexual crime ­involving a child.

The Sunday Telegraph ­understands cabinet ministers have been consulted about the recommendations and offered their support.

But Labor and the Greens have slammed the crackdown, claiming the committee was “hijacked” by the government and the recommendations were not based on evidence.

Evidence presented to the committee revealed that, while Australian-born criminals commit the most offences, some migrant groups were over-represented in crime statistics compared to the size of their community.

MIGRANTS TOLD NOT TO BASH WIVES, HARM KIDS

Committee chair Jason Wood said it was time to send a “crystal-clear” message that visa holders who commit serious and violent crimes have forfeited their right to call ­Australia home.

“We must protect Australians first, especially from the wave of over-represented serious crimes, especially home ­invasions,” he said.

Labor supported 14 of the 18 recommendations, including plans to inject more money into 40 community hubs which offer skills training, English language classes, community events and social clubs for migrants.

The report found that, while the initial years of settlement can be difficult for refugees and migrants, they bring an economic and social benefit to Australia.

It recommended a five-day program that teaches refugees to shake hands, introduce themselves in English and follow traffic signs should be offered to all migrants and expanded to 100 hours.

Migrants can access up to 510 hours of free English language education but the report found that participants often have competing priorities, such as finding a job. The committee recommended a more flexible course that focuses on outcomes not hours.

Labor and the government agreed that sport and the arts were an “integral part” of the settlement process but slammed Soccer Australia for not providing discounted fees for migrant families unlike the AFL, Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia.

The report recommended a new migrant youth mentoring program and linking government systems to gather better data on how many visa holders commit crimes.