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AAP
AAP
Politics
Kat Wong, Andrew Brown and Tim Dornin

Strict new conditions for detainees pass lower house

Federal ministers Clare O'Neil and Andrew Giles announced the extra funding to monitor detainees. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

New changes imposing strict new conditions for people released from immigration detention have passed the House of Representatives.

More than 140 detainees were released recently after the High Court ruled indefinite detention unlawful.

The cohort included some convicted criminals and though they had already served prison sentences, growing outrage and concerns over a perceived danger to the community prompted the government to rush through emergency laws imposing strict visa conditions.

Under the amendments, those who have been released will not be allowed to perform work or take part in activities with children or go within 200 metres of a school.

Law enforcement will also be given additional powers to collect and use information from electronic monitoring on the detainees.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the changes were reasonable and necessary, indicating further law changes may be on the cards following the High Court decision.

The High Court will hand down its legal reasoning for the decision on Tuesday afternoon.

"It's not talking tough that keeps Australians safe, it's strong laws, strong laws and a relentless focus on compliance," he told parliament.

"The legislation that we've introduced today will make our laws more durable and get ahead of any future challenges."

But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the amendments to the detention laws were being rushed through parliament.

"This is well and truly designing of a bill on the run, and on such a serious issue," he said.

"Why would you rush through a bill when the High Court is providing its reasons tomorrow?"

The new amendments passed the lower house 70 votes to 61, with the bill now moving to the Senate.

It comes as the government allocated $255 million to enforce the strict visa conditions.

Australian Federal Police will get $88 million for regional response teams and personnel to investigate breaches of such conditions.

The government said the money would secure the ability of agencies to ensure people abided by the terms of their release, including curfews and wearing ankle monitors, and would increase capacity to bring prosecutions in the event of breaches.

Of the people released from immigration detention, 132 are being electronically monitored, four are being investigated by the AFP over non-compliance and two are being worked through as they are "difficult, complex cases" involving health issues.

The package includes $150 million for Australian Border Force to provide additional staff in compliance, investigations, removal and surveillance functions.

Though some of those released have committed serious crimes including sexual offences against children, others have served time for low-level offending - but all are subject to the same strict visa conditions.

Asked whether the government would apply proportionality to its enforcement, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said it had put the emergency laws in place to manage community safety while awaiting the reasons behind the High Court's decision.

"When we receive reasons for decision we will be able to establish durable approaches," she told reporters on Monday.

Ms O'Neil announced a service to help victims of crimes committed by released detainees engage with support providers and the government.

Independent MP Kylea Tink introduced a private member's bill to parliament on Monday which moved to stop the government indefinitely detaining non-citizens.

The proposal, which was in the works before the High Court handed down its decision, would cap immigration detention at 90 days and would also ban children from being held.

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