REVEALED: WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith wrote letter asking to free child sex offender refugee from detention

A Liberal senator urged the Government last year to release a child sex offender from immigration detention, in circumstances similar to the former detainees the Coalition is now urging Labor to lock back up. WA Senator Dean Smith asked Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to transfer the man from Christmas Island into community detention in Perth in a letter obtained by The West Australian. In the letter, dated September 26, 2022, the senator notes the man was convicted in 2015 of sex with a girl aged between 13 and 16 and subsequently had his refugee visa cancelled. The West understands the man was 21 at the time of the offences. “I certainly do not dispute nor condone the seriousness of the crimes that [the man] committed 7 years ago, nor do I refute the court convictions which have resulted in the cancellation of his visa, and I acknowledge the lasting effect his actions have had on his victim,” Senator Smith wrote. “However, I also believe that in the time that has passed, [the man] has demonstrated significant repose and repentance, alongside ongoing rehabilitation with the active support and guidance of the … community of WA.” He included multiple letters of support from other community figures, church leaders and a business person who proposed employing the man if he was moved into community detention. Senator Smith has a long history of working with refugee communities in WA and overseas. He notes in the letter he has worked closely with the man’s father on human rights and community language programs and regards the father as a “trusted friend”. The criminal in question is still in a detention centre, although no longer on Christmas Island. “My advocacy for this young man’s release into community detention was made following representations from leaders of his community, national and local church groups, and on the basis that all his family are Australian citizens,” Senator Smith told The West. “The information provided to me supported the man’s release into community detention and I am advised that information has not changed.” The revelation comes as the Government announced a $255 million funding boost to the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force to enable them to monitor former immigration detainees — released after the High Court ruled their indefinite detention was unlawful. So far, 141 people have been released across Australia, including those who lost their visas after convictions for murder or sex offences. Parliament passed emergency legislation 10 days ago to require strict bridging visas conditions, including electronic ankle monitors and curfews, with new criminal offences created for breaking the rules. But for much of last week, ministers were unable to say whether any GPS trackers had been fitted or where the former detainees were. The funding boost gives $150m to ABF for extra compliance, investigations, removal and surveillance staff, and $88m for the police to field regional response teams and investigate breaches of visa conditions. The remaining $17m will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions for work associated with breaches. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the funding would ensure the agencies were able to dedicate the time and resources needed to monitor the former detainees into the future. “We have only one priority and that is protecting the safety of the community within the limits of the law,” 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.” The Opposition has been slamming the Government over its response, saying ministers should have had draft legislation ready to go in the event the High Court overturned the 20-year precedent. “What a complete, total and utter debacle for this Government,” shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash said on Sunday. “They were concerned more about the rights of rapists and murderers, paedophiles, child sex offenders and a contract killer and getting them out onto the street than they were with the safety and security of Australians. “So now you have these people out on the street and the basic questions which the Coalition is asking on behalf of the Australian people … the government cannot answer basic questions.” Senator Smith has not spoken in Parliament regarding the High Court ruling.