Reports by Parliamentary Committees
There have been a number of reports by parliamentary committees relating to us during 2005-06.
Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade References Committee - September 2005: Mr Chen Yonglin’s request for political asylum
On 12 September 2005, the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade References Committee tabled a report in Parliament on their inquiry dealing with Mr Chen Yonglin’s request for political asylum. The report made two recommendations:
- Recommendation 1: the department was to formulate a protocol for dealing with foreign diplomats and officials
- Recommendation 2: our officers were to be made aware of their confidentiality obligations and the need for sensitivity when dealing with foreign diplomats and officials.
A government response is under consideration.
As an interim measure, on 17 October 2005, all our staff in Australia were advised of the process for dealing with people claiming to be foreign diplomats/officials seeking asylum in Australia. They were also reminded of their confidentiality obligations in relation to protection visa applications.
Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade References Committee – September 2005:
The removal, search for, and discovery of Ms Vivian Alvarez
We appeared before this committee in July, August and September 2005. The committee’s preliminary report was tabled in September 2005 and its final report was tabled on 8 December 2005 following the publication of the Ombudsman’s report on Ms Alvarez’s case. The final report contains 12 committee recommendations, (11 of which relate to us) and seven additional recommendations by Senator Kerry Nettle.
Joint Standing Committee on Migration - Detention centre contracts: review of audit report no 1 2005-06 December 2005:
On 6 December 2005, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration tabled its report entitled Detention centre contracts: review of audit report no.1, 2005-2006, Management of the detention centre contracts – part B which included two recommendations.
We provided input into the government’s response to the recommendation on the insurance, liability, and indemnity regime associated with the detention function. We responded to the committee’s recommendation that the progress report on the Palmer Implementation Plan be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. We also provided input noting the government’s commitment to table the report in September 2006.
Legal and Constitutional References Committee – March 2006:
Report into the administration and operation of the Migration Act 1958
The report of this committee tabled in March 2006 made 62 recommendations and has been referred to the government for its consideration.
We provided extensive material to the committee during its deliberations, including a submission in August 2005 and a response in December 2005 to the committee’s subsequent request to address specific witness allegations arising out of its inquiry. In providing this material, we extensively covered the broad range of issues raised by the committee and provided clarification about our processes and operations.
Senate Select Committee on Mental Health – April 2006: A national approach to mental health – from crisis to community
On the 8 March 2005, the Senate created the Select Committee on Mental Health to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into issues relating to mental health.
We provided a submission to the committee outlining procedures on detention and our officers appeared before the committee to provide information about mental health matters and immigration detention.
Following the Palmer Report, we were already making a significant investment in the mental health of people in immigration detention.
On 30 March 2006 the committee tabled the first part of its report entitled A national approach to mental health – from crisis to community and the committee concluded its inquiry when it tabled its second and final report on 28 April 2006. We are introducing strategies to address recommendation 81 on mental health care for people in immigration detention.