Criminal Detainees

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General regarding criminal detainees.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: Last year, the state opposition raised serious concerns relating to around 100 criminals who had been released from immigration detention. Legislation dealing with these individuals was subsequently ruled unconstitutional. As of 18 October 2024, 215 immigration detainees have been released. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. How many released detainees are currently in South Australia?

2. What is the South Australian government doing to monitor these individuals?

3. Is further legislation needed to ensure the safety of the South Australian community?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for her question. I don't have a figure as of today, but I am happy to go and find a figure. I know there was previously a figure of estimates in South Australia. If there is an updated figure I can supply, I am more than happy to come back to the chamber and supply that figure.

In relation to what is being done, I know that the honourable member has asked about this a number of times and I thank her for her interest in the South Australian community's safety in general. SAPOL has confirmed that there is a joint operation between South Australia Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force to monitor released detainees. As I have said before, I have every confidence that SAPOL, working in conjunction with its federal counterparts. will continue to both manage incidents requiring any police attendance, investigations or state-based prosecutions, but do all within their power working with their federal colleagues to continue to keep South Australians safe.