In November, Guardian Australia revealed that of the 93 people initially affected by the high court ruling, 21 were already living in the community, including 16 let out by the Albanese government and five apparently by the former Coalition government.
Despite at least 16 people having been released by Labor, the home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, has said on several occasions since November “if it were up to [her]” the entire NZYQ cohort would “still be in detention” or would never have been released.