32 foreign nationals deported from SA last year for serious crimes

Violent criminals and drug and sex offenders were among 32 foreign nationals in South Australia who were stripped of their visas last year.

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Violent criminals and drug and sex offenders were among 32 foreign nationals in South Australia who were stripped of their visas last year.

The Advertiser can reveal the Federal Government booted out more than 800 non-citizens from Australia in 2018 for serious crimes including murder, rape and child exploitation. Fifty-three people were also removed over domestic violence offences.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the Government was committed to keeping Australians safe.

“There is no place in our country for people who come here and harm Australians,” he said.

“We welcome people from all around the world, but those few who think they can live in Australia and be involved in criminal actions need to know they won’t be staying long.”

The deportations have prompted Immigration Minister David Coleman to remind foreign nationals that it is a privilege to enter and remain in Australia.

“We have no tolerance for those who put Australians in danger,” Mr Coleman said.

“Foreign nationals who think they can flout our laws and harm Australian citizens should expect to have their visa cancelled.”

Drug offences lead the rap sheet for criminals in South Australia last year, resulting in eight visa cancellations, followed closely by six for other violent offences. Almost 140 people have been deported from the state since 2014, including five for murder, 26 for assault, and more than 15 for child sex offences or pornography.

In 2014, the Government strengthened character provisions in the Migration Act, and introduced mandatory cancellation provisions.

That meant a non-citizen’s visa must be cancelled if they were sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment, or were convicted of a sexual crime against a child.

Across Australia, more than 500 criminals who committed violent offences are among those stripped of their visas in 2018 — including 13 murders, seven convicted of manslaughter, 125 for assault, 56 for armed robbery, and 34 rapists or other sexual offenders.

Nationwide, 4150 foreign nationals have been deported over the past five years.

When Parliament returns in next month, the Government hopes to continue its strong message to non-citizen law breakers by passing a list of designated offences for the consideration of visa refusal or cancellation.

The list would include violence, sexual assault, domestic abuse and the use or possession of weapons in which the offence carries a jail term of two years or more.

Originally published as 32 foreign nationals deported from SA last year for serious crimes