Immigration minister’s new law will keep accused bikie gang members out of Australia

A NEW federal immigration law will keep exiled former Rebels bikie boss Alex Vella and the father of rising AFL star Dustin Martin out of ­Australia. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton rushed through an amendment to the ­Migration Act to stop Malta-based Vella, Shane Martin and up to 20 others whose visas have been cancelled, from ­re-entering the country.

They had been kicked out based on secret information from police and intelligence services.
The High Court found yesterday that Mr Dutton had been wrong to kick out two men accused of being Rebels bikies, AJ Graham and ­Mehaka Lee Te Puia.

Alex Vella is known as The Maltese Falcon.

Vella, a dual national, had led the gang for 40 years until his residency was revoked while he was on holiday in Malta. The move left the once-powerful bikie boss stuck in the Mediterranean country with no way to return to his family in Sydney.
“This amendment ensures that people who are outlaw motorcycle gang members, ­organised criminals and threats to national security cannot stay in Australia,” Mr Dutton said last night.

Vella and Shane Martin have previously denied being involved in criminal activity.
Rebels Bikie member Mehaka Tepuia.


AFL player Dustin Martin of the Tigers.

Martin had been hoping to get back to Australia this month to watch his AFL star son attend the Brownlow Medal ceremony. Dustin’s uncle, Dean Martin, said: “It’s pretty hard when you see my nephew and my kids crying for their dad and their uncle.”

The laws, passed on Monday in anticipation of the High Court decision, mean any other decisions on visa can­cellations by Mr Dutton under Section 503A of the Migration Act will stand.

Rebels bikie member AJ Graham

It was signed off by the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove on Tuesday, less than 24 hours before the High Court ruling. Graham and Te Puia had challenged the decision on their visas because it was based on secret information provided to the minister that was not disclosed to them.

The High Court ruled 6-1 in their favour and ordered the government pay their legal costs.
The decision had the potential to open the floodgates to challenges from up to 20 people who had been deported using secret information since migration rules were tightened in 2014.


Australia - BN.

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