Peter Dutton has choked back tears during a live radio interview after the father of a one-punch victim called to thank him for deporting a man involved in the Queensland killing.
Steve Miller, whose son Cole was killed after a night out in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley in January 2016, praised the Home Affairs Minister for acting swiftly to deport one of the men involved.
Daniel Maxwell was sent back to New Zealand in August last year after being handed an 18-month suspended sentence in connection to the one-punch attack.
Maxwell pleaded guilty to starting the fight that led to Cole's death, while another man, Armstrong Renata, was sentenced to seven years in jail after pleading guilty to unlawful striking causing death.
Mr Miller thanked the minister for chasing up Queensland police and Border Force officials after Maxwell was allowed to walk free from court.
The New Zealander was taken back into custody later that evening and kicked out of the country.
"I'd like to thank Peter Dutton for that, he didn't know me from a bar of soap. The guy's a champion, he's out there looking out for Australians and the Australian way of life," Mr Miller said.
"We just want him to know we were grateful for his immediate actions to help that day."
The interview was abruptly cut short after Mr Dutton was overcome with emotion.
"It's an emotional thing, it really is," Mr Dutton said, after hearing from Mr Miller on 2GB radio on Thursday.
