Migrant teen criminals face deportation in gang crackdown
Young migrant offenders could be deported when they turn 18 under a new "two-strike" policy being considered by the Federal Government.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said violent offenders, such as those reportedly associated with Melbourne's Apex gang, would also find it harder to get Australian citizenship thanks to a more stringent "character test".
"The Commonwealth is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the community and is keen to look at additional measures off the back of the success with outlaw motorcycle gangs," he told the Herald Sun.
Under current laws in the Migration Act, dual nationals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison, or who are convicted of sexual crimes against children have their visas automatically cancelled.
The proposed reforms would also include two anti-gang hubs in Melbourne's west and southeast, which would be co-run by Federal Police, Victoria Police, social workers and migration officers.
Earlier this month, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told reporters that migrants committing violent crimes should expect to be "shipped back to their own country", amid news the federal government was considering lowering the age of deportation to 16.
"If people are committing crimes on our streets, often violent crimes, often crimes of robbery, taking cars off people ... if there's an opportunity to move those people offshore, we're in favour of that, frankly," Mr Ashton told reporters in January.
The move comes after several years of violent crimes in Melbourne including the Moomba riots, countless carjackings and home invasions.
Many of the crimes have been blamed on a gang made up of teenagers of African descent in a criminal gang known as Apex.
The Herald Sun reports Victorian backbencher Jason Wood, who was himself the victim of an aggravated burglary, has been pushing for a joint federal and state government approach.
News break - February 3
