Controversial anti-abortion activist Troy Newman could be on a plane back to the US within hours after losing a last-minute legal bid challenging his deportation.
It's understood the Immigration Department will seek to have him on a return flight as soon as 6pm (AEST) Friday after the High Court dismissed Mr Newman's application to reverse his visa cancellation.
Labor MP Terri Butler, who sent a letter to the immigration minister urging the visa cancellation, told reporters in Canberra on Friday Mr Newman directly flouted immigration laws by getting on a plane despite knowing he was barred from entering the country.
"To think he is above the law gives us an insight into the sort of person we are dealing with," she said.
Ms Butler said Australia was an open democracy with frank and vehement discussions on contentious issues, including abortion.
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"But we don't welcome extremists into our country and we don't welcome extremism."
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has instructed the fast-tracking of Mr Newman's deportation.
He said Mr Newman had been treated in the same way as anyone else who arrived illegally.
"His detention and removal is entirely related to his decision to openly flout Australian law and travel to Australia without a valid visa."
Mr Dutton has also ordered his department to launch enquires into how Mr Newman was able to board the flight despite being on an alert list.
"Any airline involved faces a fine for carriage of a person who does not hold a valid visa," he said.
