Scrutiny of detention facilities and programs

Letter to the Editor - The Transcontinental, Port Augusta
30 July 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

David Wright's letter of 23 July ('Enlightening, encouraging') contains a number of incorrect statements about the immigration detention program.

Firstly, this Department has not claimed it has a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Australia Police. An MOU is currently under negotiation and while it is yet to be signed, SAPOL is working cooperatively with DIMIA and the Detention Services Provider on the basis of the arrangements in the draft agreement.

Contrary to Mr Wright's view, detention facilities are subject to extensive scrutiny and accountability with regular visits by various official government and non-government agencies, committees and individuals.

In fact visits to detention facilities by external bodies average more than one a week and include groups such as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), the Commonwealth Ombudsman, parliamentary committees, State and Federal parliamentarians and senators, the Red Cross and the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.

In addition, a range of formal and informal mechanisms are available at all centres, including Baxter, for detainees to provide feedback or make complaints about any aspect of their detention. Telephones and mail services are available in order to contact outside agencies and detainees can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman's office or HREOC at any time.

Furthermore, as with any member of the Australian community, detainees can directly contact the local police of their own accord.

On the whole, the detention program is undeniably one of the most heavily scrutinised of all government programs.

Roger Wheatley
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA