Change in visa rules was to apply in absence of ‘serious offending or family violence’, minister was told

Albanese government is standing by ‘ministerial direction 99’ despite cases that appear at odds with advice given in early 2023

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A rule change that meant a non-citizen’s ties to Australia would be considered before their visa was cancelled was intended to target people without “serious offending or family violence”, the immigration minister was told in early 2023.

But reports detailing the criminal history of some non-citizens who have had their visas restored appear at odds with the intention of that advice to Andrew Giles – leading the Coalition to pledge it would tear up the new rules if elected.

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