More details have emerged about the alleged offences committed by 29 former detainees, charged with state and territory offences since their release due to a High Court decision – referred to as NZYQ – last year.
The three who we previously reported here were not wearing ankle bracelets are facing charges including assault, robbery, kidnapping and impersonating a public officer.
There were also four who were not under a curfew at the time of their alleged offending. They’ve been charged with assault, weapons possession and stalking, amongst other offences.
Liberal senator James Paterson questioned how people with the “propensity” to have allegedly committed serious offences were not under surveillance.
“I just have to pause there and reflect that those are very serious offenses that people have been charged with who are not subject to a curfew or electronic monitoring,” he said.
Border force also confirmed “less than five” of the seven people from the cohort with previous convictions of murder or attempted murder were wearing ankle bracelets.
“So here are at least two murderers who are not being electronically monitored? That’s extraordinary,” Senator Paterson said.
“How on earth can we have former murderers not being electronically monitored in the community?”