Removals and Returns

Letter to the Editor - The Canberra Times
19 December 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

Contrary to Paul Moger's article (Rally highlights Iranian's six years in detention, 19/12/03), the detainee in question could have returned home in early 1999, if he had chosen to co-operate after being found not to be eligible for a visa.

The Department is legally required to remove non-citizens who have no basis to remain in Australia as soon as practicable. This includes unlawful non-citizens who have overstayed or had their visa cancelled, anyone who does not engage Australia's protection obligations and people who are subject to deportation orders.

However, the repatriation of those in detention relies in a large part on the detainees' co-operation. In many cases, detainees frustrate removal arrangements by not co-operating - this in turn prolongs their detention.

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA