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       Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'not currently scheduled' to meet WA
       grandmother allegedly bashed by detainee
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not meet with Western Australian
       grandmother Ninette Simons during his visit to Perth on Wednesday,
       although he acknowledged the "appalling situation" which had resulted
       in her alleged bashing by a released immigration detainee.
        
       The 73-year-old and her 76-year-old husband were violently beaten
       during an alleged home invasion at the end of last month, with Ms
       Simons later telling Immigration Minister Andrew Giles she feared for
       her safety following the attack.
        
       Outrage over the incident grew further when it was subsequently
       revealed the alleged offender had been on bail, which the Commonwealth
       had not opposed despite the detainee having previously breached his
       visa conditions.
        
       Critics of Mr Giles have used the attack to renew calls for his
       dismissal, but Mr Albanese has also come under pressure both for the
       performance of the Immigration Minister and the government's Community
       Protection Board - which had been established to coordinate measures
       to keep the public safe from harm.
        
       At a press conference on Wednesday, the Prime Minister was again asked
       about the government's handling of detainees and the case of Ms
       Simons, with Mr Albanese pressed on whether he would visit the
       grandmother and personally apologise.
        
       However, while he offered sympathy for the 73-year-old, the Prime
       Minister brushed off suggestions the two might meet, saying it was
       "not currently scheduled" as part of his trip to WA.
        
       "Ninette Simons, my heart goes out, no one should be the subject of
       violence such as Ninette Simons had to put up with," he said.
        
       "It's an appalling situation, there's no place for violence in
       Australian society in any form.
        
       "I'm not currently scheduled to visit Ninette Simons. I think I've
       made it very clear that Ms Simons has been subject to a terrible
       crime, the allegations are now before the court, as they should be,
       for the three alleged perpetrators."
        
       Earlier, Ms Simons had said she felt let down by the government's
       handling of the detainee issue, singling out its Community Protection
       Board for failing to prevent the attack.
        
       Pressed on whether he accepted any level of responsibility for the
       incident, Mr Albanese deflected, saying it was "regretful that anyone
       is subject to a violent attack".
        
       The Prime Minister also again defended Mr Giles, dodging questions
       about his handling of the issue and seeking to emphasise the High
       Court's role in freeing the detainees last year.
        
       Mr Albanese claimed the government was focused on bringing the
       "strongest possible legislation" to bear on the issue, but insisted
       the High Court's decision meant it was no longer possible to impose
       "punitive measures."
        
       He also highlighted the last bill brought by the government on the
       issue had been opposed by both the Coalition and the Greens, claiming
       the opposition must back the legislation if it was serious about
       protecting the community.
        
        
        
        
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