Coalition, Labor back policy to charge fees for immigration detention, but experts say bills will probably never be paid

The Coalition has put recouping detention costs from foreign criminals on the agenda.  (AAP: Joel Carrett )

The Coalition wants to resurrect a Howard-era immigration policy, and charge many of the people residing in immigration detention hundreds of dollars a day for being there.

The policy would apply to people awaiting deportation on character grounds, particularly convicted criminals who are not Australian citizens.