​A New Zealand national with strong links to an outlaw motorcycle gang has been detained in a joint operation involving the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Tasmania State Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The man has a significant criminal history, including drug, firearms and assault offences. He has been taken into immigration detention and will remain in a correctional facility pending any removal from Australia.

The Australian Government remains committed to the crack down on foreign nationals who are involved in, or are associated with, serious criminal activity.

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said the joint agency operation was a great result and commended the work of AFP and Tasmania Police officers involved.

“As I have said, I have no tolerance for foreign nationals who are involved in serious criminal activity or are associated with criminal gangs,” Mr Dutton said.

“I have instructed my Department to refer cases of serious criminality to me for consideration under the character provisions of the Migration Act.

“This includes foreign nationals associated with, or members of, outlaw motorcycle gangs. I have cancelled this man’s visa and he will remain in immigration custody.”

The Department and the Minister have the power to cancel the visas of those people who fail the character test under the Migration Act.

“This year 415 criminals have had their visas cancelled after not meeting the character requirements and of these, 57 have been removed from Australia,” Mr Dutton said.

“The safety of Australia and Australians is the Government’s priority.”​