One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has called on Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to deport a convicted child-sex offender from Sierra Leone who is seeking to remain permanently in Australia.
Hanson’s comments follow a Federal Court decision in which expert psychological evidence was cited in support of the argument that granting the man a permanent visa could reduce his risk of reoffending.
The man, identified in court documents as MFKF, arrived in Australia in 2011 on a spousal visa. His visa was later cancelled after he was convicted of sexually abusing a boy and sentenced to prison.
He was subsequently convicted on two further counts of indecent assault.
According to The Australian, the man has argued that he cannot safely return to Sierra Leone because he is gay and the country criminalises same-sex sexual activity.
One psychologist told the Federal Court that the man’s risk of reoffending was low provided he continued treatment, and that greater security around his immigration status could reduce that risk.
Hanson strongly criticised the prospect of allowing him to remain permanently.
“A convicted child-sex offender from Sierra Leone is arguing that granting him permanent residency could reduce his risk of reoffending in Australia.”
She said the man remained in Australia on a “high risk” visa, one of hundreds of people whose visas have been cancelled but who cannot currently be removed.
“This visa category originally included 72 people convicted of violent offences, kidnapping or armed robbery; 37 of sexual offences, including child-sex offences; 16 of domestic violence or stalking; 13 of serious drug offences; and seven of murder or attempted murder,” Hanson said.
Hanson also criticised the Federal Government for no longer publishing monthly figures on the number of people remaining in the community under the visa arrangements.
“But we have no way of knowing how many are here because Tony Burke stopped publishing monthly figures, leaving Australians without a current picture of how many remain in our community,” she said.
“Tony Burke promised removals. When will he deport this child-sex offender?”
Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash has also called for the man’s removal, describing the situation as evidence that Australia’s immigration system had gone “stark, raving mad”.
“This is a convicted child sex offender who has had his visa cancelled; in other words, he has no right to be in our country,” Cash told News24.
She criticised the argument that permanent residency should be considered because it could make the man feel more secure and potentially reduce his risk of reoffending.
“I stand up for the rights of children in our great country,” Cash said.
“I’m not here to ensure that convicted child sex offenders are given permanent residency to make them feel better.”
Cash urged Burke to use all available powers to remove the man from Australia.
“And my message to Tony Burke is very clear. You should be moving heaven and earth to ensure that this convicted child sex offender who has no right to be here is removed from our country.”
She said the Coalition would support legislation needed to remove convicted child sex offenders who have no right to remain in Australia.
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