Families released from immigration detention centres

29 July 2005

The national campaign group, A Just Australia, says children never should and never did belong in detention and welcomes today's release of all children and families, in line with the recent Government commitment that children shall only be detained as a measure of last resort.

"This is the way forward for better refugee policy," said Ms Gauthier. "There is no need to detain everyone in high security settings for the whole time it takes to process refugee claims. The releases are living proof that there is a better way that doesn't compromise security or proper processes.

"This is a belated but positive step forward - now we ask the Government to ensure the release programs for families are covered by regulations, so that there is no danger of families being detained in future.

The Palmer report stated that onshore asylum seeker policy has been made in an ad hoc fashion on the run. However, the Department of Immigration has shown it can work closely with social welfare agencies, such as the Red Cross, to co-ordinate an orderly community release programs for families with proper supports in place.

If these asylum seekers poses no health or security risk to the Australian public, why detain them when here is proof that there are cheaper and more humane alternatives available?"

Now that there are real and effective lines of communication between the Department and expert welfare agencies, A Just Australia calls upon the Government to start creating real detention policy reform, in proper consultation with the community.

"The Government already has Programs like the Asylum Seekers Assistance Scheme administered by the Red Cross that could be expanded immediately, to ensure all vulnerable asylum seekers who pass health and security screening could be released with proper support or work rights." said Ms Gauthier

Other local programs, such as Hotham Mission's, have demonstrated successful outcomes in supporting failed asylum seekers to return voluntarily, as well as assisting accepted refugees to settle into Australia faster and with less trauma. These options have already been shown to cost far less than detention and are achieving better outcomes than detention.

"We thank the government for taking this first step, but we'd like the door to remain open to discuss real detention reform, supported by legislative change. The programs are already there, we just need the political will to use them." said Ms Gauthier