Coalition to exclude minor crimes from visa policy George Brandis. People convicted of certain crimes, including disorderly and offensive conduct, would not be deported or have their visas cancelled under a Coalition policy to toughen punishments against foreign criminals. The federal Coalition announced on Sunday that asylum seekers and other foreigners convicted of serious crimes punishable by more than one year in jail would have their visas cancelled and be deported. They would also not be allowed to return to Australia for 20 years, which is double the current 10-year exclusion period. A policy statement said: "This rule will not apply to a limited number of crimes as defined by [the Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification], including some minor public order offences or other miscellaneous offences." The body classifies offences across Australia and New Zealand, with 16 divisions from miscellaneous to homicide. Public order offences include disorderly conduct and offensive conduct. Miscellaneous offences include defamation and privacy, public health and safety offences and commercial, industry and financial regulation offences. Spokesmen for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and shadow immigration minister Scott Morrison did not respond to requests for more detail on the exceptions. Under the proposed changes, those who have had their visas cancelled would also lose their right to appeal the decision, except in "special circumstances," including if they have lived in Australia for a minimum of 10 years and if they have a dependent child who was born in Australia. Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor can, under current law, refuse to grant or cancel the visa of people deemed not to pass a character test, including those with a substantial criminal record. "Despite the current lifetime exclusion of criminals removed under section 501 of the Migration Act, the opposition seem to be proposing to allow criminals to return to Australia," Mr O'Connor said. He said the Coalition could not answer questions about how or where refugees would be returned if their visas were cancelled. International law forbids asylum seekers from being returned to countries where they may be persecuted. When shadow attorney-general George Brandis was asked whether approved refugees would be deported, he told Channel Ten: "We would rescind the visa."