Anthony Albanese should reshuffle his senior cabinet to hose down growing political anger over its handling of High Court detainees, according to Senator Lambie.
The federal government is moving to launch a new High Court defence to block the release of more former immigration detainees after it scrambled to issue preventive detention laws after more than 150 individuals were freed under last year’s NZYQ ruling.
Labor was forced to reveal last week that it had been forced to reverse an administrative bungle that could allow former detainees charged with visa breaches to escape conviction.
As the Coalition moves in to accuse the government of losing control of the nation’s borders, Independent senator Jacqui r Lambie said Immigration Minister Andrew Giles should “remove” himself from his portfolio, arguing that the situation had gotten out of control.
“It’s time Labor had a really good look at their ministers and maybe it’s time for a reshuffle 12 months out before the next election,” she said on Monday.
“I am terribly worried about, you know, these people being out in the loose, on our streets, it is a real, real problem and something needs to be done about it.
“I’m sick and tired of watching ministers that sit there, that bugger up and there is no repercussions for them and that is why you will never get change in politics until people are held responsible or accountable.”
Federal parliament is set to return after Labor suffered bruising results in two state by-elections over the weekend.
Labor lost its heartland seat of Ipswich West Labor to the Liberal National Party on Saturday, following a two-party swing of about 18 per cent.
Labor has held the seat for 19 out of 22 elections since 1960.
Queensland’s state government narrowly retained Inala, the safest Labor seat previously held by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, despite its 28 per cent margin being slashed to 20 per cent.
Senior Labor minister Tanya Plibersek said by-elections were tough for sitting governments.
“The by-elections were fought on state issues and of course we know federally that the top of mind for most voters is the cost of living,” she said on Monday.
Senator Lambie said the Albanese government should be “carefully” watching ahead of next year’s federal election.
“If I were the federal Labor Party, I’d be watching very, very carefully and being very careful about what you do over the next 12 months because if this is in any indication of what it’s going to look like next May, they’re in serious trouble,” Senator Lambie told Nine’s Today show.