Message to Detainees
Media Release - DPS 104/2002
The following text from the Acting Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs is being distributed tonight to detainees in Baxter, Woomera and Port Hedland immigration detention facilities.
I am writing to you because of my concern about the recent disturbances in immigration detention centres.
It has been reported to me that those behind these disturbances are trying to force the Government to change its policy of mandatory detention of unauthorised arrivals, by destroying detention centre accommodation and facilities.
This action is seriously misguided. Destruction of detention centre property will not result in your release from detention. If anything, destruction of detention centre buildings will only make your situation worse.
This is because those who have taken an active role in destruction of property risk being charged and imprisoned.
If buildings continue to be destroyed, those remaining in detention centres will be accommodated in circumstances that are far less comfortable.
It has been suggested that detainees are aggrieved because you have not been given a clear decision from the Government about your cases. Again, this is completely wrong.
Almost all of you have been refused a visa, both by the department and by the Refugee Review Tribunal.
This means that as far as the Australian Government is concerned you are not refugees and you have no right to remain in this country.
Those of you currently in detention are there by your own choice because you are pursuing your cases through the Court system or because you are refusing to cooperate with arrangements to depart Australia.
Your situation therefore, could not be any clearer. You can choose to bring your detention to an end at any time by leaving Australia.
In the meantime, the Minister has advised me that until these disturbances cease, he will not consider any requests for Ministerial Intervention from those in detention.
31 December 2002
Media inquiries: Public Affairs (02) 6264 2244