Ninette Simons: Girrawheen grandmother allegedly attacked by former detainee issues message to new minister
A Perth grandmother who was allegedly bashed and robbed by a former immigration detainee says she hopes newly appointed Immigration and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke can provide reassurance of her safety after a Labor cabinet reshuffle was announced.
Ministers Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles faced scrutiny for their handling of the November 8 High Court ruling to release 153 non-citizens from detention centres around the country.
Criticism only intensified when Ninette Simons and her 76-husband, Philip, were allegedly attacked by three men inside their home — which police say included former detainee Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday that Mr Burke — who had served as Employment Minister — will take over the now combined Home Affairs and Immigration roles.
Mr Albanese denied the move was an admission of failure.
Mrs Simons, 74, said she wished Mr Burke would keep public safety front of his mind in his new appointment.
“We’d like to feel safe in our community and if he (Mr Burke) can reassure us that the detainees are not allowed to move freely and not assault us in our homes,” she said.
“I don’t think I’m ever gonna get over it… we’ve upgraded the security and but still we are still frightened.”
“It’s not only them but their friends know where we live now… we don’t know if they are going to come back for reprisals.”
“I was beaten, I am lucky to be alive.”
The Kuwait-born man is among three people who are accused of posing as police officers to gain entry into the Simons’ Girrawheen home before stealing about $200,000 in gold jewellery on April 16.
It has been alleged that during the course of the robbery the trio tied up Mr Simons and then brutally beat Ms Simons. A fourth person is accused of driving the trio to the couple’s home on the night of the attack.
It emerged Mr Doukoshkan was not wearing an ankle bracelet at the time of the alleged attack at the Simons’ home, which came despite the government vowing public safety and monitoring of the former detainees was a priority.
Commonwealth prosecutors did not oppose bail for Mr Doukoshkan when he fronted court in February charged with multiple curfew breaches. After those charges were dropped, he was caught trespassing and driving with an expired licence.
He was fined a combined $400 by WA authorities and allowed to walk free on April 10 – less than a week before the alleged attack on April 16.
“I think he (Mr Giles) should take some blame for what happened,” Mrs Simons added.
“Why are they taking such a lenient approach with them… (some) of them have re-offended.”
“People stop me in the street and say it is the government’s fault. This is what people in the streets stop me and say, they say that whole community is behind me.”
It comes following revelations that the number of immigration detainees released on bridging visas in the fallout from the NZYQ ruling jumped to 178 as of June 30, up 18 from just one month earlier.
Several ex-detainees have faced court since the decision — including Sudanese-born Lul Peter Kir, who WA Police have charged over visa breaches, assault and possessing a weapon.
Claire O’Neil is now responsible for the housing and homelessness portfolios while Mr Giles is now the Minister for Skills and Training.
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