Speaking on Sydney radio 2GB, Dutton said it was an “outrage” that “somebody like that” could become an Australian citizen, and said there should be a process to understand “where the failing in the system originated and how we can make sure it doesn’t happen again”.

So what are the conditions for revoking citizenship in Australia, and how often does it happen?

Can Australian citizenship be cancelled?

The court may make an order to cease a person’s Australian citizenship if:

• the person is aged 14 years or over
• the person is a dual-national
• the person has been convicted of one or more serious offences
• the court has imposed a period or periods of imprisonment that total at least three years or more
• the conduct the offence relates to is so serious and significant that it demonstrates that the person has repudiated their allegiance to Australia.

Serious offences are specified in the act and include certain terrorism offences, treason, espionage, foreign interference, advocating mutiny, foreign incursion and recruitment offences, and certain explosives and lethal device offences.

There are several reasons a person’s Australian citizenship can be cancelled. Source: SBS News

The laws apply equally to dual-nationals who became citizens at birth, and those who were born outside Australia and later became citizens.

Australian citizenship cannot be cancelled if the person holds no other citizenship as it would leave them stateless.

What is Australia’s history with revoking citizenship?

During his time as home affairs ministerfrom 2017 to 2021, Dutton issued citizenship cessation notices to over 20 citizens.

The most common reason for citizenship being revoked

If a person is facing their citizenship being revoked, in most cases they can appeal to the court and argue against it happening.

Ali Mojtahedi, principal solicitor at the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre. Source: Supplied

Basim Hamdan, a researcher in migration regulation, told SBS News that while a person whose citizenship has been stripped can appeal the decision, it’s highly unlikely they will succeed.

Depending on the person’s circumstance, they may have the chance to apply for another visa while in Australia.

Could Australia’s citizenship laws change?

At the time of writing, Dutton has not outlined any specific plans or proposals for further changing powers to cancel citizenships.

“Maybe greater weight has to be placed on those to deny citizenship based on views and character rather than strict security assessments about whether the person poses a direct threat to security.”