PM playing a game of selective outrage pitting DV victims against detainee crime sprees

Labor is happy to fight against domestic violence, but they clam up when those released from immigration detention on their watch are accused of heinous crimes, writes James Morrow.

Two horrible tragedies, two very different reactions from the Albanese government.

One, the murder of Forbes woman Molly Ticehurst, allegedly at the hands of her ex, who was out on bail for a string of charges too appalling to repeat one more time.

The other, a violent home invasion against an elderly couple from Perth that saw 73-year-old Ninette Simons bashed unconscious and more than $200,000 worth of valuables stolen from her and her 76-year-old husband.

In this case, the alleged offender was not a violent former partner or unrequited lover.

Instead, it is alleged it was former immigration detainee Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, one of 154 men released from immigration detention after a High Court ruling last November, who was free on bail after being accused of multiple curfew breaches.

Ninette Simons, the victim of an alleged assault and burglary in the Perth suburb of Girrawheen

Along with two accomplices, Mr Doukoshkan is accused of posing as a police officer to gain access to the Simons’ home and then brutally bashing the pair to the point where Mrs Simons lost consciousness.

While the death of Ms Ticehurst has – quite rightly – prompted outrage from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on down, Labor has been far more reticent to talk about what led up to the alleged violent attack on Mr and Mrs Simons.

Let’s compare and contrast, shall we?

Daniel Billings (left) allegedly murdered ex-girlfriend Molly Ticehurst at her Forbes, NSW home in April.

Put aside the prime minister’s ham-fisted attempt to hijack a Canberra anti-domestic violence rally Sunday.

Mr Albanese spoke for the vast majority of Australians when he said, in relation to the alleged murder of Ms Ticehurst, “we need to have a discussion about the courts.”

“No wonder people are frustrated when you have people out on bail who’ve been alleged to have committed serious crimes against their partner, and then they go on to (allegedly) murder that partner,” he told the ABC’s Michael Rowland.

The prime minister has also given at least half a dozen interviews about domestic violence in the past 72 hours, called violence against women “a national crisis”, and is convening national cabinet to talk about a way forward Wednesday.

Again, that’s all very well and good.

Yet when asked about the home invasion allegedly committed by a detainee out on bail who had previously been released by the High Court under his government’s watch, the PM came across as cagey as a cocker spaniel who has just stolen a sock.

An organiser cries as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses a rally calling for action to end violence against women, in front of Parliament House in Canberra, Sunday, April 28, 2024. Picture: AAP

“Our thoughts and the thoughts of all Australians are with those affected by this,” he said Tuesday.

“It is inappropriate to comment on this further given it’s in the middle of investigation by WA Police.”

“Of course, the state bail schemes are run by states by definition – but given the matter is under investigation it’s inappropriate to comment further.”

He also said that both Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles would not be going anywhere.

It is not hard to see why Mr Albanese is far more eager to talk about domestic violence victims than the victims of crimes committed, allegedly, by immigration detainees.

When it comes to domestic violence, Labor feels it is on safe ground. The issue is felt most keenly among women, who are more likely to vote Labor.

Appeals to change society and culture (particularly where males are concerned) fits into a the Left’s broader long-term project to remake Australia in its own image.

Yet with detainees and the controversial High Court decision, it’s a different story.

Labor simply does not have being tough on borders in its DNA, and indeed they see high migration as part of its push to make Australia a more multicultural society.

Minister For Home Affairs, Clare O'Neil and Minister For Immigration, Citizenship And Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Recall that Mr Giles entered politics after representing asylum seekers on the MV Tampa more than two decades ago, and that on at least one occasion he was off campaigning for the Voice when his office was meeting government lawyers about the High Court case they would eventually lose and which would see Mr Doukoshkan and others released.

Also recall that Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus personally approved an intervention by the Australian Human Rights Commission in favour of the plaintiff, known simply as NZYQ, in that very same case.

Last year Mr Dreyfus also complained to The Saturday Paper about the “deliberate cruelty” of the previous Coalition government, further suggesting the government had little desire to keep criminal detainees locked up and off the street.

And of course it has also presided over a record high immigration intake that has exacerbated the housing crisis, while at the same time the promise of a tolerant yet diverse Australia has descended into farce with far away sectarian conflicts spilling into our streets and even churches.

Two different tragedies, two different victims, and most importantly, two different alleged perpetrators.

To borrow from Orwell, it’s not just some animals that are more equal than others.

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