Peter Dutton slams Trump-lite claims over plans to deport criminals
Liberal leader Peter Dutton has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to deport terrorists as he flags changes to the citizenship test.
Federal Election
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Peter Dutton has declared he will seek a new mandate from the Australian people at the election for tougher powers to strip criminals of citizenship if elected and deport them with a referendum as “a last resort.”
Dismissing criticism that the plan mirrors US President Donald Trump’s controversial deportations of hundreds of immigrants under the wartime Alien Enemies Act, Mr Dutton has told reporters in Perth that it was an issue he had pursued for years.
“If the laws are not adequate to do that then I will deal with the laws and put in place a regime that reduces crime in our country and keeps us safe and an uncertain century,’’ Mr Dutton said.
“My role as Prime Minister would be to keep Australia safe and I demonstrated that in my career as a police officer. I want a mandate from the Australian people to be able to implement laws to keep us safe that the Prime Minister dismisses as a thought bubble.”
Benbrika case fallout
The push to develop tougher laws follows the legal fallout from the High Court case involving one of Australia’s most notorious convicted terrorists, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who had his citizenship restored in 2023 after the High Court overturned its cancellation.
Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika regained his citizenship two years ago after the High Court ruled against its cancellation.
In 2008, Benbrika was found guilty of leading a terror cell that plotted to blow up Australian landmarks and sentenced to 15 years in prison, but remained in custody on a continuing detention order.
As Home Affairs Minister, Mr Dutton cancelled his citizenship in 2020, prompting Benbrika’s legal team to challenge the validity of the part of the citizenship act which allowed his Australian citizenship to be stripped.
In a 6-1 split, the High Court found the law was invalid, restoring Benbrika’s Australian citizenship.
Mr Dutton first flagged a potential constitutional referendum on the issue last month, as reported by news.com.au last month.
“I think the Constitution is a barrier, yes,’’ Mr Dutton said on February 21.
“If we need to amend the Constitution, then I think that’s a debate that our country is mature enough to have.”
“We are suggesting that if we can tighten the laws, we do that,’’ Mr Dutton said in Perth on Wednesday.
“Our Prime Minister is not mature enough and obviously out of his depth when it comes to these discussions.
“I won’t tolerate that situation. I will do whatever it takes to get women and children in our country safe and if the Prime Minister does not have that same position he should make it clear.”
Citizenship test
As the Liberal Party moves to take decisive action on anti-Semitism if elected, the Coalition has confirmed it will send a strong message if elected by adding questions to the citizenship test – a move first flagged with Jewish groups last month.
“I think people when they become citizens they are signing up to the best country in the world and if you pledge allegiance to our country and it turns out you want to harm people in our country, what should be the consequence?,’’ Mr Dutton said.
The Coalition’s immigration spokesman Dan Tehan outlined the plan in a question-and-answer session with the Australian Jewish Association a fortnight ago.
“And this will be something we will announce during the election campaign,’’ Mr Tehan said.
“We will also, within the Australian citizenship test, place a specific section which will deal with anti-Semitism, and we will have an educational module which will deal with anti-Semitism.
“So if you become, or want to become a citizen of this nation, then you will have a specific section that you will need to undertake with regards to anti Semitism.
“Now, this will be something that we will announce during the election campaign, and it will be very interesting to see whether the Labor Party will seek to match this or do anything in this regard. I think that will be incredibly important to really see and test how committed the Labor Party is in this regard. But we want to ensure that anyone who wants to become a future citizen of this nation knows that antisemitism is something which is condemned in this nation.”
Asked if the Albanese Government would back the plan, Labor frontbencher Tony Burke dismissed it as “a thought bubble.”
“Yesterday’s thought bubble on a referendum didn’t make it past lunchtime – let’s see how long this lasts,’’ he said.
“Peter Dutton and the Coalition will do anything to avoid talking about their massive cuts which will drive up the cost of living.”
Originally published as Peter Dutton slams Trump-lite claims over plans to deport criminals
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