ABF Commissioner Michael Outram admits media access to NZ removal was mistake

A Channel Nine news report, published in early March, featured a journalist taunting cancelled visa holders moments before they entered a plane to be deported back to New Zealand.

Commissioner Michael Outram told Greens senator Nick McKim at Senate estimates on Monday evening it was not uncommon for the agency to give media access in order to publicise its work.

"We do from time to time publicise removals from Australia from a deterrent, public interest point of view and the community need to know when criminals are being removed from Australia," Commissioner Outram said.

"On that occasion, a fairly inexperienced Border Force officer gave permission for the journalist to interview one."

The deportee interviewed by the news crew had their visa cancelled under section 501 of the Migration Act. Visas cancelled under this section are a result of failing to pass a character test and have engaged in criminal conduct.

The reporter, who was on the tarmac as the handcuffed woman was escorted to a plane, asked her how it felt to be kicked out of Australia and that the country didn't want her.

The woman replied: "F*** off."

Commissioner Outram said the media and border force officers involved were told not to do it again.

"A decision was made that I would prefer wasn't made, it was an error [at] the time but I wouldn't characterise it any different than that," Commissioner Outram said.

"We've been reminding them that's not the way we want to do business, we don't want it to occur again."

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The Channel Nine report also featured comments made by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who referred to the cancelling of 501 visa holders as "taking out the trash" to keep Australia safe.

Senator McKim asked Mr Outram and department secretary Michael Pezzullo if the opinions were shared by the agencies. Mr Pezzullo responded he was a "humble administrator" whose role was to administer the laws parliamentarians had passed.

Senator Amanda Stoker, who represented the government at the committee, said the comments had been taken out of context.

"The reference to the trash is a reference to the behaviour of people who come to Australia and who decide to break its laws," Senator Stoker said.

"The government is quite proud of its record of deporting visa holders who commit serious crimes."

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