Immigration
Labor’s deportation bill shelved in Senate stand-off
The government pushed debate on the bill to the next parliamentary sitting in late June as Immigration Minister Andrew Giles faced off with the Coalition.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest
Dutton pledges to slash permanent migration to 140,000 a year
In his budget reply speech, the opposition leader intensified a political fight over housing and congestion by vowing to drive permanent migration below Labor’s target.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Federal budget
Mothballing Nauru’s detention centre could save $250 million in a year
Home Affairs expects the centre to move from an “active state” to “enduring capability” – empty but operated by a skeleton staff.
- by Olivia Ireland, James Massola and Angus Thompson
Qld reheats calls for migration ‘moderation’ – and more federal cash
The push – on federal budget day and ahead of the state’s own pre-election budget – calls for faster, not deeper, action on arrivals.
- by Matt Dennien
Exclusive
Asylum seekers
Third boat arrival detected in a week, but no one taken to Nauru
Four Vietnamese asylum seekers intercepted by Border Force off the coast of Broome last week were detained after 38 people from two other boats were also picked up.
- by Angus Thompson and James Massola
Exclusive
For subscribers
Inside Labor’s drastic cap on overseas students – and the urgent meeting it’s triggered
Universities will be forced to stop a surge in overseas students, sparking fears about the impact on the $48 billion industry.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
International students
International students are trying to stay on in record numbers
Coalition sources said immigration and homeownership would be central to Peter Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech as he develops an anti-“Big Australia” election narrative.
- by Paul Sakkal
Weapons conviction piles pressure on Dutton over released detainee
While the Coalition has called on Labor to “take responsibility” for released detainees, Dutton would not comment on a decision made when he was home affairs minister.
- by David Crowe, Jesinta Burton and Rebecca Peppiatt
Exclusive
Courts
Detainee released by Coalition one of trio accused of attack on grandmother
It can be revealed a second man accused of a brutal attack on a Perth grandmother was released from detention when Peter Dutton was minister for home affairs.
- by David Crowe, Rebecca Peppiatt and Heather McNeill
Half the detainees freed after High Court ruling have no monitors or curfews
The government has successfully fended off a major legal challenge that would have seen up to 200 more immigration detainees released into the community.
- by Olivia Ireland and Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Federal budget
Australia, let’s have more babies, says Jim Chalmers
Australians are having fewer children with the fertility rate tumbling. The treasurer says people should think about having more kids.
- by Shane Wright and David Crowe