Australian PM Admits Failure in Protecting Community from Freed Detainee

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged that the government-appointed community protection board failed to protect the community in the case of a freed immigration detainee who allegedly assaulted a Perth grandmother, Ninette Simmons, and her husband Philip. The 43-year-old detainee was one of three people charged over the assault and was freed following a High Court ruling in November.

Why this matters: This incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of the community protection board and the government's handling of released immigration detainees, which can have far-reaching implications for public safety. The failure to properly monitor and supervise these individuals can lead to further violence, eroding trust in the government's ability to protect its citizens.

The detainee was on bail when the alleged assault occurred, and prosecutors did not oppose bail despite reoffending. The community protection board, set up after the High Court ruling, recommended the detainee not wear an ankle bracelet, which Prime Minister Albanese called a "wrong decision." Emergency laws passed by federal parliament imposed strict monitoring conditions on released detainees, including electronic monitoring and ankle bracelets.

Prime Minister Albanese expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating, "That wasn't a decision of government ... I am just as upset about that decision as you are. I think that lacks common sense." He also conveyed his sympathy for the victims, saying, "My heart goes out to Ninette, no one should be subject to that sort of violence. It is an outrage that this occurred."

The coalition has repeated calls for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil to resign following the assault. Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said Mr. Giles had "either lied to the Australian people about the government's monitoring regime ... (or) didn't know what was happening in his portfolio" and should resign. Another former immigration detainee, Kimbengere Gosoge, 42, was arrested in Perth on Wednesday for breaching visa-mandated curfew conditions.

The High Court ruling in November led to the release of immigration detainees, and the government set up the community protection board to monitor them. The assault on Ninette Simmons and her husband has sparked community outrage and raised questions about the government's handling of the situation. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stated, "People are right to be angry about it and upset, this could be anybody's grandmother or mother."

Key Takeaways

• Australian PM Anthony Albanese acknowledges community protection board failed to protect the community.
• Freed immigration detainee allegedly assaulted a Perth grandmother and her husband.
• Detainee was on bail and didn't wear an ankle bracelet despite reoffending.
• PM Albanese calls the decision "wrong" and expresses sympathy for the victims.
• Opposition calls for Immigration Minister and Home Affairs Minister to resign.