March 20, 2024
$853k bill for three experts
A trio of high-profile experts is being paid more than $850,000 a year to help the government regain control of its bungled migration laws.
Members of the high-profile Community Protection Board, established in light of the controversial NZYQ High Court decision that saw 149 immigration detainees released into the community, have met eight times between December and January to look at every case that was released following the decision.
But the expert advice is not coming cheap, with former Queensland Corrective Services commissioner Peter Martin being paid $367,000 to meet "at least once a month" to discuss the crisis engulfing the Albanese government, according to contracts publicly published on AusTender.
Youth justice advocate Carmel Guerra is being paid $205,000 for her role on the panel while a third contract to former Victorian police chief commissioner was tendered for $281,000.
Some members of the nineperson board were already employed by the government so do not come at an additional cost to the taxpayer.
It's understood the first set of updates from the panel are being finalised by the government and will be included in its first monthly update.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson blasted the Albanese government for failing to make any applications for preventive detention.
"It's quite extraordinary how much the Albanese government can spend for such little impact," he said.
"Despite these generous salaries, the Minister for Home Affairs (Clare O'Neil) has failed to make a single application for preventive detention in the four months since it (the law) was rushed through parliament.
"In the meantime, these dangerous non-citizens are repeatedly reoffending against Australians." Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the remit of the board had been expanded.
"The government is committed to working with experts, including security officials and agencies, to get the best outcomes for the Australian community," he said.
"The enhanced remit of the Community Protection Board will mean these experts will play a central role in managing complex cases going forward in the best interests of the Australian community.
"This is part of the government's broader efforts to reprioritise immigration compliance after a decade of cuts and neglect by the former government."
