Clarification and correction of article

Letter to the Editor - Sunday Telegraph
4 June 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

Archbishop George Pell's article ('The institutions that make prisoners of us all', 01 June), requires clarification and correction.

It is disingenuous to describe people in detention as refugees or "inmates". The current detention population of 1,091 is primarily made up of illegal workers and people who have overstayed their visas.

As at 23 May 2003, 748 detainees are awaiting removal, meaning they have no legal basis to stay in Australia.

This figure includes the majority of unauthorised boat arrivals in detention (196 as at 23 May) who have been found not to be refugees after rigorous assessment of their claims by at least two separate authorities and often the courts.

As to prayer space - a range of religions are observed in detention and specific prayer areas are available in all centres for all detainees to practice their religions.

A Christian church service was being conducted at Baxter at the time a compound search commenced on 24 April and continued with the detainees' consent.

Service provision in all centres is governed by Immigration Detention Standards and is far from "arbitrary". The Department takes very seriously any allegations of mistreatment, intimidation or abuse and has repeatedly asked that such information be reported to the appropriate authorities.

There are a number of avenues available for detainees to directly complain or report mistreatment, including the police, Commonwealth Ombudsman, HREOC and the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.

Staff can directly access a range of support mechanisms, including on-site counselling, in addition to services available in the community.

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA