A French national has been removed from Australia after his visa was cancelled following his involvement in the organisation of an illegal New Year rave west of Gympie in Queensland.
Under the Migration Act 1958, if a visa holder is a risk to the health, safety or good order of the Australian community, their visa can be liable for cancellation and they may be removed from Australia by the Australian Border Force (ABF).
Acting Commander for ABF Enforcement Steven Darby, said the removal, which occurred on 19 January 2021, highlighted how seriously the ABF was taking threats posed to the Australian community by those intentionally breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
"The ABF will not tolerate non-citizens who choose to engage in criminal activity or behaviour of concern, particularly with respect to COVID-19 restrictions which can have a devastating flow on effect for our community.
"We hope this sends a strong message to others who think they can arrange or participate in reckless activities of this kind," Acting Commander Darby said.
"The ABF will continue to collaborate with state, territory and Commonwealth partner agencies on these matters and will act decisively to protect the community from the risk of harm posed by non-citizens breaching COVID-19 restrictions."
In May 2020, Operation Baritone was established by the ABF to support state, territory and Commonwealth partner agencies in ensuring non-citizens are complying with Government regulations on mandatory quarantine, self-isolation and social distancing in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
As a result of this operation, there have been 24 field enforcement activities, 335 warnings issued, 15 notices of intention to consider visa cancellation and eight cancelled visas.
