Long-term detention review completed
Friday, 23 May 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today that a review of 72 people in immigration detention for more than two years has resulted in 31 people being granted visas or considered for visa grants pending health and security checks.
A further 24 people have or will be removed because the Minister has determined they have no valid reason to be in Australia.
Five of the people have already been removed from Australia while steps are being taken to fast-track the removal of the remaining 19 people.
Another 17 people are subject to ongoing proceedings which means their status cannot be resolved at this time. Those assessed as high risk among the group of 17 will remain in immigration detention centres.
People assessed as low risk will be moved to immigration residential housing facilities or into community detention until their cases are resolved.
‘I have personally reviewed all of these cases individually and sought to apply a range of measures to progress, if not resolve, their immigration status,’ Senator Evans said.
‘Underpinning my decisions in all of these cases are the principles that indefinite detention is not acceptable and that those people who have no right to be in Australia are to be removed promptly.
‘The Howard Government left these cases in the too hard basket and consequently, people languished in immigration detention with no end in sight.’
Senator Evans committed to reviewing the cases in March in response to the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s assessment of people in immigration detention for more than two years.
‘I discussed the cases with the Commonwealth Ombudsman to develop pathways for the people held in long term detention. Ultimately though, the decisions were mine,’ Senator Evans said.
A variety of factors including immigration history, health status, and community and family links in Australia were taken into account before decisions were made. Senator Evans said he also considered community expectations in making his decisions.
‘The government is committed to taking a pro-active approach to the prompt resolution of a person’s immigration status. Long term detention cannot be the default outcome for difficult immigration cases,’ Senator Evans said.URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08051.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST