The Gold Coast Bulletin

Albanese is facing another visa hit

- Courtney Gould

A Sudanese-born Victorian man, released from immigratio­n detention after a landmark High Court ruling, has been charged with failing to comply with visa conditions.

The Australian Federal Police arrested and charged the man on Monday in Melbourne, and allege he breached the conditions of his Commonweal­th visa on three occasions over nine days.

He has been charged with three counts of failing to comply with a curfew condition, and one count of failing to ensure his electronic monitoring device “remains in good working order”.

He faces up to five years imprisonme­nt and a $93,000 fine.

He was one of 149 detainees released after the High Court last year ruled that indefinite immigratio­n detention was unlawful. The cohort was put on a “Bridging Visa R” and is subject to strict conditions regarding curfews and electronic monitoring.

The Victorian man’s arrest comes just days after a Perth grandmothe­r was allegedly violently attacked by another released immigratio­n detainee, raising concerns about the government’s assurances that the community would be safe.

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, is alleged to be part of a trio charged over a home invasion and burglary that left 73-year-old Ninette Simons hospitalis­ed with head injuries.

They gained access to the couple’s Girrawheen home by allegedly posing as police officers before they tied up Ms Simons’ 76-year-old husband.

The incident sparked renewed attack from the Opposition, demanding the “missing in action” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigratio­n Minister Andrew Giles apologise to the public.

“It’s victims like we’ve seen in Perth and I think like we’ll see across the country … who are paying the price for the incompeten­ce of the Albanese government and the two ministers,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Nine. “They should be on your program this morning explaining what’s happening and apologisin­g and giving you an assurance that it won’t happen again.”

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