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Managing Australia's Borders

Detention Health Advisory Group (DeHAG)

The Detention Health Advisory Group (DeHAG) was convened in March 2006 in response to recommendations in the Palmer Report. The establishment of this committee represents a significant step forward in working in an open and accountable manner with our key stakeholders to improve the general and mental health of people under our care.

The DeHAG has a major role in providing the department with independent, expert advice regarding the design, implementation and monitoring of improvements in detention health care policy and procedures. The DeHAG consists of key health and mental health professional and consumer group organisations including:

  • Australian Medical Association
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
  • Mental Health Council of Australia
  • Australian Psychological Society
  • Forum of Australian Services for the Survivors of Torture and Trauma
  • Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
  • Royal College of Nursing Australia
  • Public Health Association of Australia
  • Australian Dental Association.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office has an observer status on the DeHAG.

The work of the DeHAG has also been supported by two time limited sub-groups: the Mental Health Sub-Group (MHSG) which continues to focus on a range of mental health issues in the immigration detention context, and the Infectious Diseases Sub-Group (IDSG) which focused on issues surrounding infectious disease management. The DeHAG is chaired by Associate Professor Harry Minas, who is also a member of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution (CISSR).

DeHAG Report of March 2008

DeHAG has released the 'Report Against 2007-08 Work Program – March 2008'
See: Report Against 2007–08 Work Program – March 2008 (179KB PDF file)
See also: Report Against 2006–07 Work Programme – March 2007 (195KB PDF file)