Former asylum seeker claims jail fear was ignored, 15/03/06

Letter to the Editor - The Age
15 March 2006

Dear Sir/Madam

Your report (Former asylum seeker claims jail fear was ignored, 15/03/06) by Andra Jackson appears to be yet again another example of The Age not letting the facts get in the way of either what someone believes is a good yarn and/or someone's private agenda.

The former asylum seeker to whom your report refers was never, ever deported and yet this terminology appears on numerous occasions in your report.

The man in fact left Australia of his own accord, after even the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees declined to become involved. How does any of this justify your description of him having been "deported"?

At the end of the day, the man in question arrived illegally, had his asylum claim properly considered and rejected by this department and the relevant review tribunal, was subsequently granted documentation to travel by Moldovan authorities and ultimately, departed Australia voluntarily because he had no basis on which to remain.

Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs