The Coalition are set to return to a Howard-era immigration policy that charges detainees $456 for each day spent here. If adopted, the policy would mainly target foreign criminals who often spend years in detention waiting for their deportation.

Federal Labor has indicated that they will support the idea, despite its national policy platform indicating that it is opposed to cost recovery from detainees.

The latest announcement from Mr Morrison has angered refugee activists, who say that the new fees will discourage detainees from appealing their deportation.

Image: Shutterstock: Image: paintings

Produced By: Andrew Herlinger

Featured In Story: Ian Rintoul, Spokesperson, Refugee Action Coalition

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 18 May 2022