The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today welcomed the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) 2008 Immigration Detention Report which recognises the many reforms in immigration detention over recent years.
“This report provides an important independent assessment of Australia’s immigration detention system,” a DIAC spokesman said. “Immigration detention is an integral part of Australia’s border security and an important component in ensuring the integrity of Australia’s migration program.
“While the AHRC recognises many of the immigration detention reforms that have already been introduced, the report also highlights a number of other areas requiring further improvement.
“DIAC is in the planning and approval stage of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre redevelopment following the government’s decision to progress the project for consideration in the 2010 Budget.
“The government allocated $1.1 million in the 2008-09 Budget for a feasibility study for the redevelopment. In addition, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has approved $7 million for urgent interim works at Villawood – including the refurbishment of Stage 1.
“These works will improve the amenity for clients accommodated there, create a better visitors’ facility and includes refurbishment of internal spaces and the outdoor recreation areas and courtyards.”
Early works have been completed in Villawood’s management support unit and Stage 1 concurrently. The design and tendering for the remainder of the works have commenced.
“As detailed in DIAC’s response, the department is already working to address many of these concerns as it implements the government’s New directions in detention policy.
“The policy, announced by Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans in July 2008, provided for seven key immigration detention values to guide detention policy and detention practices into the future.
“Many policies such as children not being detained in detention centres and detention only being used as a last resort – and for the shortest possible time – are already in place, while others are under active review and development,” the spokesman said.
He said consistent with government policy, all unauthorised boat arrivals would continue to be detained and processed at Christmas Island while health, identity and security checks were undertaken.
The facilities on Christmas Island and the excision of offshore islands remain as part of the key measures to ensure the security of Australia’s borders.
Children, families and women are not accommodated in the North West Point facility, consistent with the government’s policy that no children will reside in immigration detention centres.
The spokesman said DIAC engages a broad range of stakeholders in an effort to improve the way that it does business, particularly in relation to immigration detention.
DIAC will give active consideration to many of the recommendations in the AHRC report and to continuing consultation with the commission as further reforms are developed and implemented.
Full Department of Immigration and Citizenship response to the report:
http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/detention/_pdf/response-to-AHRC-immigration-detention-report.pdf
Media enquiries: National Communications (02) 6264 2244
