A French jewel thief who has lived in Australia for most of his life is fighting a deportation order that he says will rob him of a relationship with his family.
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Gilles Roger Pallas came to Australia in 1973 as a child and has never applied for citizenship.
He has spent much of his adult life in jail for various crimes including jewellery heists, shooting and trying to drown an unarmed police officer, drug and property offences, and trying to escape custody.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection ordered his deportation in 2017 after finding he failed to pass the character test.
Pallas is fighting the deportation order, which he says will deny him a continued relationship with his parents, siblings, young and adult children and grandchildren.
Pallas represented himself in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Tuesday, where he attempted to have his appeal adjourned because he couldn't find a lawyer.
He said he had difficulty understanding the legal jargon and that he was struggling to explain himself.
This application was dismissed, with the court ruling legal representation in this area of law was not a right.
Guided by the three judges, Pallas then argued that the department's decision to deport him lacked procedural fairness.
His claim revolves around allegations the department failed to properly explain why the risk to the Australian public outweighed his family's need to have him remain in the country.
He also argued he was denied justice by his lack of legal representation in an earlier appeal of the deportation order.
The court has reserved its decision.
Australian Associated Press
