Bikies, Games strays on Dutton’s hit list

ALMOST 200 bikies have had their visas cancelled by the Federal Government.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told a Senate committee at Parliament House in Canberra the government has cancelled 181 visas issued to people who are members of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Mr Dutton, who said the move would limit drug dealing, also accused bikie gangs of consorting with the CFMEU. “They work with the CFMEU because many elements of the CFMEU are also criminal in nature and they are involved in extortion on building sites around the country,” he said.

“Who else is associated with the CFMEU? The Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is cosy with the CFMEU because they support his position at the conference.”

Being an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) member or associate of an organisation reasonably suspected of being involved in crime is sufficient for a visa cancellation on character grounds.

Laws were amended in December 2014 to give the government greater powers to revoke residency for those who failed to meet minimum character standards.

It’s not the first time Mr Dutton has linked bikies to the CFMEU — he referred to Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten as “Bikie Bill” in Federal Parliament in November 2016.

In a Facebook post shortly before his swearing in at Government House in Canberra in 2014, Mr Dutton said tackling illegal motorcycle gangs was at the top of his to-do list.

Home Affairs officials have also said about 255 athletes, support staff or media who came to Australia to attend the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games have stayed in Australia beyond the period allowed by their original visas.

The officials said 13,600 special 408 visas were issued, while about 8103 people arrived to attend the games as part of official national parties.

But only 7848 people have left, officials said.

The department said about 205 have applied for protection visas so remain in Australia lawfully on bridging visas, but about 50 are AWOL.

The department said they have not been in contact with these 50 people and they are unlawfully staying in Australia.