High Court Overturns Immigration Monitoring Laws in Australia

Australia's High Court has ruled that the government's imposition of ankle monitors and curfews on over 200 non-citizens released from immigration detention is unconstitutional, deeming such measures as punitive and a violation of the separation of powers. This decision stems from a previous ruling that deemed indefinite detention illegal, prompting the government to enact emergency laws to monitor these individuals, many of whom have serious criminal records. The court's five-to-two majority decision indicates that only judges can impose punishment, not lawmakers. Following the ruling, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced plans to introduce new legislation to address the court's concerns. Critics, including the opposition, labeled the ruling an 'embarrassing defeat' for the government, highlighting public safety issues given that many released individuals have violent pasts. The case was initiated by a stateless Eritrean man, who had faced charges for violating the imposed conditions.