The Coalition says it can improve Labor’s deportation bill – but might Dutton blow it up instead?

The Christmas Island immigration detention centre in 2020. A Senate inquiry into Labor’s deportation bill, which would grant sweeping powers to the immigration minister, is due on Tuesday. Photograph: Reuters

Six weeks ago the Coalition and the Greens teamed up to punt Labor’s controversial deportation bill to a Senate inquiry.

It was a sign of the Albanese government’s vulnerability on the immigration detention issue since the NZYQ high court decision that the opposition felt it had more to gain by keeping the issue running than helping to pass tough new laws.