Scrutiny of detention facilities

Courier Mail - 30 July 2002

Dear Sir/Madam,

A number of letters published on Saturday, 27 July 2002, reveal a lack of understanding regarding the scrutiny of Australia's immigration detention facilities. What follows are the facts.

Since January this year there have been more than 70 visits to detention facilities by external organisations and individuals. This equates to almost three visits every week.

The detention program is closely monitored by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Commonwealth Ombudsman while the Immigration Detention and Advisory Group (an independent committee) has unfettered access to detention facilities in order to provide advice to Minister Ruddock on the adequacy and appropriateness of detention services.

In addition, individual parliamentarians and parliamentary committees frequently visit detention centres to view facilities and operations first hand. Access is also provided to religious, legal and Australian Red Cross representatives.

International agencies such as the UNHCR, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Representative of the UN Human Rights Commissioner have also visited centres on request. Arrangements for media tours are also made.

In fact, as clearly demonstrated, the immigration detention program is amongst the most closely scrutinised Government programs.

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs