Labor’s deportation bill could affect 375 children born in Australia, advocates warn

Advocates fear children whose claims to protection were rejected under Australia’s fast-track assessment system could face deportation. Photograph: Mito Images/Rex/Shutterstock

Asylum seeker advocates have warned that 375 Australian-born children could face orders to cooperate with their removal from the country under Labor’s deportation bill – because they’ve had protection claims denied under the controversial fast-track method.

The home affairs department has revealed that as at 31 December 375 people born in Australia who are fast-track applicants have been refused temporary protection or a safe haven enterprise visa.