Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is moving to dismiss an appeal from US transgender activist Monica Jones over her visa cancellation last year.
Ms Jones has accused the immigration department of sharing her private information with airport reality program ‘Border Security’, a Channel Seven venture. Ms Jones says that she was pressured into appearing on the program.
“The television producer knew details of me case, which I found to be a breach of my confidentiality,” Ms Jones’ affidavit says.
“It seemed to me that the DIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection) had shared information about me with ‘Border Security and I felt that if I refused that the DIBP would form a poor impression of me.”
Ms Jones’ case was heard in December 2014, reopening this month as Mr Dutton submits an application to throw out Ms Jones’ appeal.
Minister Dutton claims the appeal should be dismissed “on the basis that the applicant is in default by failing to prosecute the proceeding with due diligence.”
Ms Jones claimed in her original plea that she did not have the resources to properly prepare her legal argument, as she was held in detention.
“The department of immigration permitted only a short time for me to respond to those allegations. In addition, my ability to respond in that time was compromised by my recognised and classified learning disability which affects my capacity to read and write and is especially acute in stressful situations.”
Ms Jones’ case is due to be heard on Tuesday.
