‘Don’t get why’: Nat Barr, Tanya Plibersek clash over detainees amid new government funding

A Sunrise host and a cabinet minister found themselves in a fiery clash after Labor pledged $225m to police the detainees released into the community in the wake of the High Court decision.

Sunrise host Nat Barr has pleaded for answers from the Albanese government over the lack of foresight ahead of a major High Court decision.

At least 93 people - including convicted rapists, murderers and child abusers - have been released into the community after the court found indefinite detention without the prospect of deportation was illegal.

Emergency legislation was rushed through parliament a week after the decision, but the Coalition had questioned why the government had not had draft measures ready in the event the court would not go the Commonwealth’s way.

Barr put the same questions to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on Monday morning, ahead of the final joint sitting week of the year.

“You have known, by your own admission since June, that there was a 50-50 chance (of this decision). I am sure your lawyers would have told you that they may have got out… That is what people are grappling with. Could it have been put in place before they got out, just in case the murderers and rapists and child sex offenders could have been walking the streets?” Barr questioned.

Sunrise host Nat Barr clashed with Tanya Plibersek over the High Court decision.

Ms Plibersek defended the government’s actions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Plibersek hit back: “You need to know what the High Court is deciding”.

Barr interjected: “But do you though?”

Ms Plibersek stood by her government’s actions.

“We’ve toughened the legislation to make sure that these people face the highest standard of scrutiny,” she said.

Her panelmate Barnaby Joyce then entered the chat - saying the highest form of scrutiny was in face “locking them up”.

Barr then took back ahold of the debate, saying it was “good now” to have the legislation in place, but people “can’t grapple why you couldn’t put it in place, even before you got the court’s ruling… just in case”.

Ms Plibersek responded: “We’ve moved very quickly”, speaking to how legislation had been introduced just a week after the High Court’s decision.

“But why not before,” Barr interjected

“I just don’t get why you couldn’t have done it beforehand, just in case.”

Ms Plibersek doubled down, saying that the government was taking action, before Barr wrapped up the conversation and moved to another topic.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil will announce a $225m funding package to support the community. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The clash comes as Labor will announce on Monday a $255m law enforcement package to support the community in the wake of the High Court decision.

The legislation passed by parliament requires all released detainees to wear ankle monitors and abide by curfews and other restrictions, or face criminal penalties.

The package includes $150m for the Australian Border Force to provide extra staff for compliance, removal and surveillance functions; with $88m for the Australian Federal Police for response teams to investigate visa breaches.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the government’s safety was keeping communities safe “within the limits of the law”.

“This funding will ensure that our agencies are able to dedicate the time and resources that will be required to manage this cohort into the future,” she said.

“We will continue to work with law enforcement and immigration agencies to make sure they have the resources they need to do this difficult work.”

Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie rubbished the announcement, saying it wasn’t as if the extra resources would hit the ground today or make much of an impact.

“(The Commonwealth) have set this (the AFP) up for failure... They have not invested in the AFP properly for years,” she told Channel 9.

“Why would people want to go into these roles? How are you enticing them.”

She said more broadly, the High Court’s ruling had “blown up in our face”.

Originally published as ‘Don’t get why’: Nat Barr, Tanya Plibersek clash over detainees amid new government funding