I think it's important to note the changes that have taken place.
There was always a law that non-citizens could be deported if they were jailed for a period - IIRC it was either one or two years.
The most notable case was some years back when a member of a well known Italian family was to be deported after serving years for drug trafficking.
The Department's decision to deport this man was overturned by the Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone after his family and associates donated a large amount of money to the Liberal Party.
The reason that was given was that Vanstone did not want to break up his family living in Australia.
This man has now been convicted for involvement in a (another) major drug importation case.
This law has been changed under this government to allow people to be deported if they failed a "character test" and gave the power to the Minister.
I personally have a real problem with a politician deciding on residency based on whether he is of good character or not.
Martin has already provided an Iraqi veteran to this country, who resigned from the army in disgust after his father was judged by Dutton to be of poor character.