28 criminals were removed by two Australian Border Force charter flights to Auckland this week, on 17-18 November. These 28 are New Zealand citizens who had been held in immigration detention facilities throughout Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney prior to removal.

Of those removed, criminal convictions included trafficking methamphetamine, causing grievous bodily harm, domestic violence, assault occasioning bodily harm and affray and child sex offences. One man had recently been released from prison after serving six years in jail for pretending to be an international pop star online to prey on young girls.

Provisions under the Act allow the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel a visa if a person is considered to not be of good character. A person can fail the character test for a number of reasons, including but not limited to circumstances where a non-citizen has a substantial criminal record.

The majority of those removed had their visas cancelled under s501 of the Migration Act 1958 for failing the character test. Non-citizens who are found to not meet character requirements, and whose visas are cancelled, are not entitled to remain in Australia.