11 September 2002
Confidential directions hearing for the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
A confidential directions hearing for the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention will be held tomorrow, starting at 9am.
Although the hearing will be confidential, media representatives are permitted to attend for opening remarks and to take photographs/footage.
The purpose of the hearing is to hear submissions from the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) about the confidentiality of their evidence to the Inquiry.
Public hearings originally planned for 9-12 September 2002 in Sydney, to hear evidence from DIMIA and Australasian Correctional Management, were deferred following a legal submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission by DIMIA last month.
Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski will make a brief statement about the format of the hearing before the session is closed to the public. The Commissioner will issue written orders on the issues raised by DIMIA as soon as practicable after the hearing.
Children in Immigration Detention Inquiry - Confidential Hearing
Where: Australian Government Solicitor's conference room
Level 23, Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh St, Sydney
(note: parking is not provided)When: Thursday, 12 September, 2002
Opening remarks will be made between 9am - 9.15am
Media representatives are asked to be prompt because the conference room will be closed to the public at 9.15am, immediately after the opening remarks are made.
Media contact: Janine
MacDonald 02 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
