Bill of Rights
Letter to the Editor - The Canberra Times
24 March 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
Keith McEwan is confused and mistaken on a number of issues about detention and assessment of asylum claims (Only a Bill of Rights will protect asylum-seekers, 24/3/05).
The Government has consistently sought to minimise the period of time people take to progress through the refugee determination system, while ensuring that the integrity and robustness of that system is not compromised.
Each case is assessed individually on its merits. People who fail to meet the requirement for grant of a visa can seek an independent review in the Refugee Review Tribunal and appeal to the Federal and High Courts.
People in immigration detention also have full access to the Australian judicial system to challenge whether their detention is lawful.
Immigration detention is administrative, not punitive. The department has a duty of care to detainees – spelt out in Immigration Detention Standards – which it takes seriously.
Immigration detention is one of the most scrutinised government programs. Facilities are regularly visited by groups including the Immigration Detention Advisory Group, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Red Cross and Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA