Jun 10, 2026 – 11.39amThe Albanese government has lost a High Court case on its liability for false imprisonment of non-citizens held in indefinite immigration detention, a decision that likely leaves taxpayers on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in compensation.On Wednesday, the court unanimously ruled in favour of Safwat Abdel-Hady, a citizen of Austria who was held in immigration detention and sued for compensation, relying on the court’s November 2023 NZYQ ruling that detention is unlawful if it is impossible to deport the non-citizen.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
High Court loss to trigger tens of millions in detention compo claims
Hundreds of people previously held in indefinite immigration detention, many convicted of serious offences, may be eligible for compensation after Wednesday’s ruling.
108 words~1 min read
