Australia now has fewer than 1,000 people in immigration detention, but the number of rejected asylum seekers remaining in the country has surged past 100,000 for the first time.
Andrew Hastie MP, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, said in a post on Facebook the Albanese Government was failing to maintain the integrity of the system.
“We need a dramatic change to our nation’s immigration system. But Labor can’t even keep rejected asylum seekers out,” Mr Hastie said.
“More than 100,000 people are now living in Australia despite having their asylum claims rejected. The system is out of hand. This is unacceptable. It’s an affront to all Australians.”
According to the latest Department of Home Affairs figures, there were 965 people in immigration detention facilities as of 31 July. Of those, nearly 90 per cent had a criminal history, while 4.9 per cent were being held in alternative sites such as hotels and serviced apartments.
The breakdown shows 561 detainees were in custody due to visa cancellations for criminal matters, 191 were visa overstayers, 123 were unlawful maritime arrivals, 28 failed airport arrivals, and 62 others had visas cancelled for various reasons.
At the same time, the number of asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected reached 100,157 in August, with another 26,017 still awaiting a decision. It remains unclear how many of this group are detained, as many file appeals, gain bridging visas, or become undocumented workers.
Just 14 per cent of asylum seeker applications finalised last financial year were approved.
Last week the Australian Border Force revealed it had deported or was deporting seven “scam migration agents” linked to organised crime.
Operating illegally in Queensland and Victoria, the group charged 470 tourists exorbitant fees to lodge fraudulent protection visa applications, netting $1.4 million.
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