The Australian Border Force (ABF) has announced that it removed 711 unlawful non-citizens to countries around the world since the closure of the international border in March last year.
According to the ABF, the most recent removal saw 31 individuals removed from Australia on two charter flights after completing their prison sentences.
It said those removed included a man jailed for the murder of his girlfriend’s parents in Melbourne.
Assistant Commissioner at the ABF, Tim Fitzgerald said this was further evidence the ABF was working hard to keep the Australian community safe, despite reduced commercial flights due to COVID-19 measures.
“Since the closure of the international border, the ABF has continued to remove people from Australia using both charters and commercial flights,” Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said.
“A large number of countries have been represented, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, France, Malta and New Zealand.”
He said the majority of those removed had their visas cancelled under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958.
“Some individuals had clearly been convicted of appalling acts and, as non-citizens who did not satisfy the character test, they had no lawful basis to remain in Australia,” Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said.
He said there were provisions under the ACT that allowed the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel a visa if a person was considered not to be of good character.
“A person can fail the character test for a number of reasons, including but not limited to, circumstances where a non-citizen has a substantial criminal record,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
