"I looked at it and thought it's a bit rough, there's no criminal history”
- Peter Dutton on why he personally intervened to stop a French au pair from deportation
Here are some examples of when Peter Dutton didn’t think it was a bit rough:
Ngati Kanohi Haapu, better known as Ko, is a former New Zealand soldier who served in Afghanistan. He was involved in a number of skirmishes with the Taliban, was awarded three medals of honour, and served on the Prime Minister's security detail. Ko left the army in 2012 and moved to Australia, where he had a job, a partner and a step-daughter. He has no criminal history.
While visiting a friend in Perth's Casurina Prison in 2017, Ko was arrested and his visa revoked, allegedly for being a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang who are not classed as a criminal organisation in Western Australia. Deemed a security risk he was held in solitary confinement for four days and remained in maximum security for over three months awaiting a hearing.
Ko’s hearing was scheduled for February 16 but cancelled on the day without explanation. In frustration, Ko wrote a letter to the government complaining of his treatment, which included regular strip searches and harassment of his family.
By the end of February, with no new hearing date and no charges against him, Ko decided to return to New Zealand. Dutton’s department never provided a reason for his visa being cancelled or why he was held in a maximum security prison for over three months without trial.
Australian war veteran, Captain Jason Scanes, has made repeated requests to meet with Dutton to discuss a visa for an interpreter who worked with him in Afghanistan. The interpreter and his family now fear reprisals from the Taliban.
Scanes has requested meetings with Dutton, travelling to Canberra on three occasions and even sat outside Dutton’s electorate office for three days. His requests have been ignored.
On at least 12 occasions the federal court has forced Peter Dutton to transfer sick children from Nauru to Australia for treatment. Dutton’s department have repeatedly fought requests for dangerously sick children to be brought to Australia, in some cases for over 18 months.
Dan Hall has lived in Australia for 11 years. He is married with three children aged six, four and three. In 2015 a police form didn’t reach the Immigration department until five months after it was posted it to them. Consequently Hall’s visa application has been rejected and he is now about to be deported to Ireland.
Fran Davies is a 77-year-old great grandmother who moved with her family to Perth nine years ago. She is active in her local church, makes clothes for children in Africa and is described as a valuable member of the community.
Fran receives treatment for a blood disorder requiring injections costing $1000 a month - a cost the Government does not wish to cover. Her application for a permanent visa was rejected two years ago. She has now been told she could be deported to the UK within weeks.
The imminent deportations of Hall and Davies, who have no criminal history could have been resolved with Dutton’s intervention, which was requested and ignored.
If you’re a rich Liberal donor looking for a bit of cheap child care, it appears you have Peter Dutton’s ear. If you’re a war hero, a child rotting away on Nauru, or just trying to raise a family and contribute to your community, well you’re pretty much dead to him.