DIMIA Annual Report 2004-05
Output 1.5-Offshore asylum seeker management
HIGHLIGHTS
Since the government's offshore processing strategy came into operation (late September 2001), 1547 people have been accommodated in offshore processing centres (OPCs) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and in Nauru. Their claims for refugee protection were considered by Australian authorities and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Of the 1547 people, 482 have voluntarily returned home, 1 passed away and some 1030 have been resettled. In 2004-05, 191 were resettled variously in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. Of the 191, 174 were assessed as refugees, while 17 non-refugees were resettled under humanitarian or other programs.
174 of the persons who were resettled during 2004-05 were determined to be refugees following a re-examination of claims undertaken by the department and the UNHCR in the previous financial year.
Of those accommodated in OPCs who were found not to be in need of protection, none returned voluntarily to their country of origin or to a third country during 2004-05. The population in OPCs at 30 June 2005 was 34, none of whom had been found to be a refugee at that time.
1.5.1 OTHER COUNTRIES
Figure 46: Performance information-Other countries
Objective
To facilitate the effective operation and management of offshore processing centres (OPCs) for asylum seekers in third countries.
Description
Effective support is provided to allow persons in OPCs to be appropriately accommodated, cared for and given the opportunity for any asylum claims to be considered.
Analysis of performance
The OPCs in Nauru and PNG have been effective in delivering offshore asylum seeker processing.
The OPCs are managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the invitation of the governments of Nauru and PNG. Initial agreements between Australia and the governments of Nauru and PNG signed in 2001 have been extended on a number of occasions. The governments of Australia and PNG extended the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on access to the OPC in Manus Province until 21 October 2004. After that time extensions were agreed while a new MOU was being negotiated. At 30 June 2005 a new MOU was under consideration by the Australian and PNG governments. Similarly, the MOU with Nauru was extended during 2004-05 to allow for negotiation of a new MOU in July 2005.
The department maintained a liaison presence in Nauru to facilitate management interactions on the ground and to enable quick coordinated responses to operational matters, such as medical evacuations. This presence, combined with department hosted inter-agency coordination meetings, resulted in a high level of cooperation between the many stakeholders involved in the various aspects of OPC management.
The MOUs with Nauru and PNG provide for the accommodation of up to 2500 people- 1500 in Nauru and 1000 in PNG. The combined population of the OPCs decreased from a peak of 1515 people in February 2002, to 34 at June 2005, two of whom were in Australia for medical treatment.
The decrease reflected a continued pattern of resettlement during 2004-05. The population at 30 June 2005 was made up of 11 Afghans, 18 Iraqis, 2 Bangladeshis, 2 Iranians and 1 Pakistani. Men numbered 33, women 1 and there were no children. As at 30 June 2005, no-one in the population was determined to be a refugee.
OPC residents have their asylum claims considered by either the UNHCR or the department. All claims to be assessed by the department have been considered, including a review of the primary decision. In light of changes in some parts of Afghanistan in early 2004, both the UNHCR and the department have re-examined their respective remaining Afghan cases in Nauru. Those found to be refugees in this process were resettled to Australia in 2004-05.
In November 2004 we decided to reassess the claims of the Iraqi caseload in Nauru. The UNHCR Iraqi caseload members were given the opportunity to have their cases reassessed by us and all but four cases took this opportunity. Those Iraqis found to be refugees in this reassessment process were resettled to Australia in December 2004.
A number of associated infrastructure upgrading projects were completed in 2004-05. These works also provide an enduring benefit to the local communities and included upgrading key electricity, water and sewerage infrastructure and some associated civil works. Infrastructure projects including civil works and police buildings upgrade will continue in 2005-06, as will assistance to local medical facilities.
1.5.2 OFFSHORE TERRITORIES
Figure 47: Performance information-Offshore territories
Objective
To facilitate the effective management and operations of processing centres in offshore territories.
Description
The department provides support for the management of asylum seekers in offshore territory processing centres and facilitates appropriate accommodation, care, consideration of claims for refugee status and subsequent resettlement or return.
Analysis of performance
The Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC) on Christmas Island has capacity for 104 people with contingency accommodation for another 104 people. Following a detailed design development process, construction began in February 2005 of a new and permanent IRPC; completion is expected in 2006-07. The new IRPC will have the capacity for some 400 people in permanent accommodation, plus another 400 in contingency accommodation. While responsibility for the delivery of the new IRPC is with the Department of Finance and Administration, the department has the 'client' role and participated in its design.
We continue to hold a section of the Cocos (Keeling) Island Quarantine Station as a short-term contingency facility. The facility was not occupied during 2004-05.
See Output Component 1.3.5-Detention for information on onshore detention operations.
Case management
Of the 42 people in immigration detention at the IRPC on Christmas Island on 30 June 2004, 27 have been granted subclass 785 temporary protection visas, two were granted offshore temporary humanitarian visas by the Minister using her s417 powers, and one person has been released on a Bridging Visa E.
At 30 June 2005, 12 people were in detention at the IRPC. However, the Minister has since intervened and granted substantive visas to all of them, and they have been released into the community.