DIAC Response to the 2010 Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Immigration Detention in Darwin (2010)
Response to the 2010 Australian Human Rights Commission
Report on Immigration Detention in Darwin
Download in PDF [70 KB]
Download in Word [220 KB]
Introduction
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity
to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (the AHRC) 2010 Public
Statement on Immigration Detention in Darwin.
DIAC places a high value on the work of the Commission and appreciates the
Commission’s substantial recognition of the hard and consistent efforts of
all those staff supporting the management of clients in Darwin.
The Commission has outlined a number of key issues related to Immigration
Detention in Darwin. DIAC comments in response to these recommendations are
outlined below.
Response to Recommendations
Recommendation 1: Australia’s mandatory detention law should be
repealed. The Migration Act should be amended so that immigration detention
occurs only when necessary. This should be the exception, not the norm. It must
be for a minimal period, be reasonable and be a proportionate means of achieving
at least one of the aims outlined in international law. The limited grounds for
detention should be clearly prescribed in the Migration Act.
People in immigration detention are managed in accordance with the
Government’s Key Immigration Detention Values which ensure fair and humane
treatment, and any claims for asylum are assessed as expeditiously as
possible.
The retention of ‘excised offshore places’, the mandatory
immigration detention of all irregular arrivals for the management of health,
identity and security risks to the community, and the continued use of Christmas
Island for the non-statutory Refugee Status Assessment (RSA) processing of
people who arrive at excised offshore places, are matters of government policy.
The government is committed to these policies as essential components of strong
border control, and as important elements in ensuring the integrity of
Australia’s immigration program.
The High Court of Australia has determined that the department’s RSA
and Independent Merit Review (IMR) processes are valid. However, the High Court
has determined that certain aspects of the process were legally flawed and need
to be changed.
All irregular maritime arrivals (IMAs) who seek protection are able to seek
judicial review if they receive a negative assessment. The government has also
decided to give a new review to clients who received a negative IMR outcome
prior to the High Court’s decision on 11 November 2010. This includes the
High Court litigant’s clients with a negative IMR assessment that has been
handed down and clients with a negative IMR assessment that is yet to be handed
down. Clients on a voluntary removal pathway will continue to be assisted by the
department and those who have already left Australia will have no further action
taken in regards to their negative IMR assessment. The department will continue
with normal removals planning (that is, general contingency planning for
removals) but will not proceed with obtaining individual travel documents until
the IMR outcome is known, and any related judicial review proceedings are
finalised.
The government is satisfied that immigration detention is not inconsistent
with Australia’s international obligations under the Refugees Convention
and its Optional Protocols, in particular, Australia's non-refoulement
obligations, and that a fair process is provided for the assessment of asylum
claims. Article 9 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (ICCPR) states that everyone has the right to liberty and security of
person, and that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.
The government understands that the key elements in determining whether
detention is arbitrary are whether the circumstances under which a person is
detained are ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ in all of the
circumstances or otherwise arbitrary in that the detention is inappropriate,
unjust or unpredictable. Detention will not be arbitrary if it is demonstrated
to be proportional to the end that is sought. Both the law under which the
detention is authorised and the manner in which it is carried out or enforced
must meet these criteria. The government is satisfied that the detention is
proportionate to the aim of processing peoples' claims as swiftly and humanely
as possible while also protecting the security and welfare of the Australian
community. Mandatory immigration detention is an exceptional measure primarily
reserved for people who arrive in Australia without authorisation.
Recommendation 2: The Migration Act should be amended to accord with
international law by requiring that a decision to detain a person, or a decision
to continue a person’s detention, is subject to prompt review by a
court.
Article 9 (4) of the ICCPR states that "anyone who is deprived of his liberty
by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in
order that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and
order his release if the detention is not lawful". This is based on the
principle of habeas corpus that people detained must be able to bring
proceedings to challenge the lawfulness of their detention. In Australia, every
person who is detained is able to test the lawfulness of his or her detention
before a court. Section 75 (v) of the Australian Constitution provides that the
High Court of Australia has original jurisdiction in relation to every matter
where a writ of mandamus, prohibition or injunction is sought against an officer
of the Commonwealth.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) notes that subsection
494AA(3) of the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act) states that
‘nothing in this section is intended to affect the jurisdiction of the
High Court under section 75 of the Constitution’. Clients are therefore
able to seek judicial review of the lawfulness of their immigration detention
under domestic law, pursuant to the High Court’s original
jurisdiction.
Recommendation 3: Until the above legislative changes are implemented, the
Australian Government should avoid the prolonged detention of asylum seekers by:
- Ensuring full implementation of its New Directions policy under which
asylum seekers should only be held in immigration detention while their health,
identity and security checks are conducted. After this, the presumption should
be that they will be permitted to reside in the community unless a specific risk
justifies their ongoing detention.
On 18 October 2010, the Minister announced his intention to use
existing powers under the Migration Act to progressively place significant
numbers of Unaccompanied Minors (UAM’s), vulnerable families and other
vulnerable clients into Residence Determination arrangements. Placement into
community detention will be made by the Minister on a case by case basis.
DIAC is managing the implementation of the expanded Residence Determination
program, and the Minister's Council for Immigration Services and Status
Resolution (CISSR) is working closely with DIAC to support this process. A
project team drawing on relevant expertise across DIAC has been formed to
develop and establish the expanded Residence Determination arrangements.
The expanded Residence Determination program will be rolled out progressively
between now and 30 June 2011. The Australian Red Cross is the lead agency for
the implementation of the expanded arrangements and will draw on the expertise
of a wide range of experienced service providers and contributing organisations.
Services can include sourcing of accommodation, case worker support and 24 hour
carer support to UAM’s, among others. Immediate housing options have been
identified and are being assessed for the first group of placements. Further
housing is being sourced and will be staged to come on line from January through
to June 2011.
- Ensuring that security clearances are conducted as quickly as
possible.
The foundation of Australia’s layered approach to border
security includes the universal visa system which enables the Department of
Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and other agencies to conduct pre-arrival
checks of visa applicants and prevent the entry of those who may pose a
security, criminal or health risk to the community. The vast majority of
IMA’s come to Australia undocumented and, in line with the
Government’s immigration detention values, are held in immigration
detention pending completion of health, identity and security checks.
An external agency is responsible for the furnishing to Commonwealth agencies
of security assessments relevant to their functions and responsibilities.
Security assessments undertaken by the external agency are treated individually
and undertaken on a case-by-case basis. As such, there is no single or
definitive timeframe within which each check is completed. Some cases are able
to be finalised within a short timeframe; but others, because of the specific
circumstances of the case, can take much longer.
DIAC regularly liaises with the external agency on caseload issues, and
escalates individual cases of concern for priority assessment, such as
UAM’s, families with young children, and clients with mental health
concerns or other compassionate and compelling circumstances. DIAC also seeks
from the external agency, updates on the progress of individual cases.
Recommendation 4: The Australian Government should implement the
outstanding recommendations of the report of the National Inquiry into Children
in Immigration Detention, A last resort? These include that
Australia’s immigration detention laws should be amended, as a matter of
urgency, to comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In
particular, the new laws should incorporate the following minimum features:
- There should be a presumption against the detention of children for
immigration purposes.
- A court or independent tribunal should assess whether there is a need to
detain children for immigration purposes within 72 hours of any initial
detention (for example, for the purposes of health, identity or security
checks).
- There should be prompt and periodic review by a court of the legality of
continuing detention of children for immigration purposes.
- All courts and independent tribunals should be guided by the following
principles:
- detention of children must be a measure of last resort and for
the shortest appropriate period of time
- the best interests of children must be a primary
consideration
- the preservation of family unity
- special protection and assistance for unaccompanied
children.
- detention of children must be a measure of last resort and for
The government takes its international obligations
seriously and acts consistently to comply with all of its treaty obligations,
including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC).
Minors and their accompanying families are accommodated at low-security
sites, such as immigration transit accommodation (ITA) and immigration
residential housing (IRH), or other alternative places of detention (APOD),
which includes commercial accommodation such as motels, including Darwin Airport
Lodge and Asti Motel.
UAM’s are subject to the same accommodation arrangements as other
children, but are supported by appropriate foster carers and are held in an APOD
while health, security and identity checks are completed. They may then be
considered for a community placement if accommodation is available.
Section 4AA of the Migration Act currently states:
"(1) The Parliament affirms as a principle that a minor shall only be
detained as a measure of last resort.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the reference to a minor being
detained does not include a reference to a minor residing at a place in
accordance with a residence determination".
While section 4AA affirms the principle that children should only be detained
as a last resort, the principle does not limit the location and nature of any
such detention. The announcement of the Government’s Key Immigration
Detention Values formalised arrangements already in place operationally within
DIAC, noting that minors will not be detained in an immigration detention centre
(IDC).
DIAC maintains that Key Immigration Detention Value 3, which provides that
‘children, including juvenile foreign fishers and, where possible, their
families, will not be detained in an immigration detention centre’,
broadly reflects our international obligations under Article 3(1) and Article 37
of the CROC. Although children fall under the broad mandatory detention
framework, they are treated considerably differently than adults. Furthermore,
detention currently is not, and will not, be for minors at an IDC under Key
Immigration Detention Value 3.
Facilities at the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel are designed to ensure
that children’s human rights are protected. The processing of asylum
claims by children is accorded the highest priority to ensure compliance with
our Article 37(b) obligations under the CROC and that children remain in
facilities for the ‘shortest appropriate period of time’.
DIAC maintains that children in the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel have
considerable liberties, and are free to attend school, outings and other
organised activities in order to best permit them to live as unrestricted as
possible while their claims (and those of their families) are assessed.
Policy documents relating to the treatment of children in detention are
clear:
‘Children can be a vulnerable group of clients, particularly in the
context of compliance operations and immigration detention. The case management
of children presents particular challenges and requires special consideration of
the child’s individual and family circumstances. Although a child will not
be detained in an IDC, it is possible that a child may be subject to other
detention arrangements such as community detention or immigration residential
housing. If a child has been detained, whether or not this is with a parent or
guardian, the child will be actively case managed. The only exceptions might be
children who have been detained with their families and are on a rapid removal
pathway or juvenile foreign
fishers.’[1]
The Department acknowledges the AHRC’s concerns regarding assessments
on the need to detain children and undertaking periodic reviews. As previously
noted in the response to Recommendation 3, the Minister for Immigration and
Citizenship announced the intention to use existing powers under the Migration
Act to progressively place significant numbers of UAM’s, vulnerable
families and other vulnerable clients in residence determination arrangements.
Given this announcement the need for assessments and periodic reviews on
children in detention should not be necessary.
This move is in recognition of the increasing numbers of families with
children and UAM’s in immigration detention and the lengthening period of
time which some may have been detained during processing of their claims or
finalisation of their cases.
The residence determination arrangements will be rolled out progressively in
partnership with community organisations over the coming months and should go a
large way to providing suitable longer term accommodation for this group of
clients.
A reference group has been formed involving key CISSR representatives, DIAC
officers and other external members, including a representative from the
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Recommendation 5: DIAC should ensure that relevant DIAC officers and staff
members of detention service providers are provided with information and
training on:
- the requirements and procedures for making child welfare and protection
notifications in relation to concerns that arise in respect of children in
immigration detention in Darwin
- which DIAC officer or officers have been delegated the Minister’s
powers of legal guardianship of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in
immigration detention in Darwin, and in which situations the guardian should be
consulted.
DIAC and Detention Service Provider (DSP) officers have been
provided with the Northern Territory (NT) toll free number to report any
incidents involving child welfare and protection notifications. Arrangements are
being made for the NT Department of Families and Children Services to deliver
on-site training on mandatory reporting requirements for DIAC and DSP staff.
DIAC, DSP and Life Without Barriers (LWB) officers are aware of the DIAC
officers delegated by the Minister with legal guardianship of unaccompanied
minor asylum seekers in immigration detention in Darwin. Protocols on
notification to the legal guardian and circumstances in which this is to occur
are being developed and are anticipated to be completed by the end of January
2011.
Work is also being undertaken to put protocols in place to ensure that all
UAMs are aware of the guardianship arrangements that are in place for them while
they are in immigration detention. This is being done in conjunction with Serco
and LWB and is anticipated to be completed by the end of January 2011.
Independent Observers from LWB are available to support UAM’s and
attend interviews and other appointments with them. Necessary arrangements are
in place to ensure that LWB Independent Observers are always present for
interviews and other processes involving UAM’s.
Recommendation 6: The Australian Government should, as a matter of
priority, implement the recommendations made by the Commission in A last
resort? that:
- Australia’s laws should be amended so that the Minister for
Immigration is no longer the legal guardian of unaccompanied children in
immigration detention.
- An independent guardian should be appointed for unaccompanied children in
immigration detention and they should receive appropriate support.
The Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 (IGOC
Act) provides that the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship is the guardian
of unaccompanied non-citizen children who arrive in Australia with the intention
of becoming permanent residents. The Australian government recognises that the
IGOC Act is outdated and not designed for the purpose for which it is now used.
The department recognises the concerns which have been raised about the
potential for a perceived conflict of interest between the Minister's role as
guardian under the IGOC Act and as the decision-maker under the Migration Act
1958. The department is currently reviewing whether the current
guardianship arrangements are appropriate and whether the IGOC Act can be used
in a more effective way to further the best interests of children potentially
within its scope.
The department ensures appropriate support for UAM’s by engaging LWB to
provide an Independent Observer to attend interviews and meetings between
UAM’s and the department and/or other agencies. The Independent Observer
provides a support role for the minor to support them during the interview
process, including providing them with moral support, ensuring that appropriate
food and toilet breaks are provided, and ensuring the minor is given the
opportunity to ask questions and has their questions answered. LWB provide a
24-hour on call support service.
For UAM’s who have been found to be refugees (known as unaccompanied
humanitarian minors), the department, working with state governments or service
providers, organises suitable accommodation and appropriate care arrangements.
Services provided to unaccompanied humanitarian minors include: monitoring of
care arrangements by a case worker, assistance with clothing, food, housing and
educational requirements. Services for unaccompanied humanitarian minors are
provided by the relevant State Child Welfare Agency or, where this is not
possible, by a not-for-profit service provider.
Recommendation 7: DIAC should ensure that people in immigration detention
in Darwin are provided with timely access to appropriate health and mental
health services. In particular, DIAC should enhance clinical governance of the
mental health service by ensuring that a psychiatrist is available to provide
clinical guidance and supervision of the clinical decision making of mental
health staff.
The provision of all health care services to people in immigration detention
at the Northern Immigration Detention Centre (NIDC), Darwin Airport Lodge APOD,
and the Darwin Asti Motel APOD is managed by a Regional Health Services Manager
(RHSM) who is a qualified Registered Nurse with appropriate experience in
managing the provision of health services in regional areas. The RHSM, who is
based at NIDC, works with the International Health and Medical Services (IHMS)
Medical Director, Medical Services Operations Manager and the Psychological
Services Manager to monitor and ensure the provision of both primary health care
and mental health care to clients in Immigration. The RHSM provides a
consultancy role to all Network Health care providers within his/her Region and
oversees the after-hours Triage and Advice line that is available to DIAC case
managers and Serco.
The health care model implemented by the Detention Health Services Provider
at all centres relies on the RHSM to coordinate services, freeing up GPs and
specialists such as Psychiatrists to focus on patient care. The RHSM has the
clinical knowledge, skills and experience to be able to recognise when issues
need to be escalated or referred to specialists, and is able to provide those
external specialists with information so that they can make an informed clinical
decision that is in the best interests of their patient.
Two different processes are operating for clients to access medical services
in immigration detention facilities in Darwin; one at the NIDC and the other at
the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel.
At the NIDC, clients need to complete a Medical Access Request Form and place
it in an IHMS post-box which is located in each compound. The request forms are
collected each morning and triaged by a Registered Nurse who schedules
appointments based on the severity of the client's described condition. Clients
with serious or urgent symptoms such as chest pain will be seen on the same day.
Clients with less urgent symptoms may be scheduled up to two days later.
Clients are escorted by DIAC or DSP staff to either of the two medical clinics
at NIDC (one at the North compound and one at the South compound). Clients who
would like to see the Mental Health Team are not required to make an appointment
if they require support.
IHMS has confirmed that all initial triage nurse appointments are scheduled
to occur within 72 hours of IHMS receiving a request form. Clients are advised
of their appointment via a list which is displayed in each compound the evening
before the scheduled clinic. If a client misses their appointment, up to two
more appointments are scheduled for them before IHMS require the submission of
another Medical Access Request Form.
The medical access request process, including the need for clients to check
the appointment schedule daily, is explained at client induction. IHMS also
attends Client Consultative meetings in order to remind clients about the
process.
IHMS are unaware of any cases of clients being forced to wait six to seven
days for initial medical attention due to over-booked schedules, although where
clients miss their initial appointment, or where request forms are not submitted
directly to IHMS post-boxes (eg. handed to a DSP officer), they may have to wait
longer than 72 hours before the initial medical assessment. In addition,
previously scheduled appointments may be delayed when medical personnel are
called away to respond to emergency medical situations, these may take
precedence over previously scheduled appointments. IHMS report that such
instances are rare at NIDC.
It should also be reiterated that, clients are expected to check the
appointment schedule, attend requested appointment times, and inform IHMS if
they no longer require an appointment. The DSP is not responsible to collect or
remind the clients of their appointment.
At the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel, medical and mental health clinics
operate five days a week, using a Triage arrangement to allocate priority to
clients. Clients can also make appointments, and are generally seen within 72
hours. Urgent client needs are given priority. IHMS is currently developing a
proposal to implement in the new year a weekend clinic at the Darwin Airport
Lodge and the Asti Motel. ,
Outside of clinic hours, there is also a 24 hour Triage and Advice line,
which DIAC or a DSP can call should any emergency situation or unexpected injury
occur. They will then be given advice as to whether or not the client needs
transfer to an emergency service provider.
Recommendation 8: DIAC should ensure that all people in immigration
detention in Darwin have access to:
- appropriate indoor and outdoor recreational spaces including open grassy
areas and, where applicable, play areas that are safe and appropriate for young
children
Amenity improvements since the AHRC visit to the NIDC have
continued and now include the addition of flower beds for the use of clients.
There is also a substantial infrastructure program being undertaken that will
significantly increase indoor and outdoor amenities at the NIDC. All works at
NIDC will be completed progressively between October 2010 and June 2011.
Included in the infrastructure program is a broad range of improvements to
the centre including additional classrooms, improved internet access, new soccer
fields, volleyball and basketball courts and a synthetic walking/fitness track.
New fitness equipment has already been installed at all compounds. Improvements
will be made to all existing cabanas, including a new recreation building on the
edge of the new soccer field in North compound and general improvements to the
landscaping around the centre including the addition of vegetable gardens for
the use of clients. The infrastructure program includes a proposal to improve
amenities for minors accommodated in Berrimah House, adjacent to the IDC.
Clients detained at Berrimah House have their own activity program that
includes indoor and outdoor activities. Clients at Berrimah House are taken on
regular excursions to the swimming pool, bowling, churches and mosques, and
other various outdoor activities, and can participate in IDC activities and use
the IDC facilities.
Since the AHRC visit, the owner of the Darwin Airport Lodge has installed a
shade cover over the play equipment. Other recent works at the Darwin Airport
Lodge include an educational block which comprises of a computer room,
classroom, library, and activity rooms. It is also proposed that additional
recreational areas be made available including gym equipment, BBQs, outdoor
seating, basketball hoops, and mobile play equipment for children.
The department notes the AHRC’s concerns regarding the use of the Asti
Motel. The department considers the Asti Motel as a short term detention site
and as soon as additional capacity can be developed elsewhere all clients at the
Asti Motel will be moved as a priority.
In the meantime, clients at the Asti Motel have access to the motel swimming
pool and other indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. As an alternative to
on-site grassed areas, regular sporting and recreation excursions are provided
for clients at the Asti Motel, as well as a variety of on-site activities.
In addition to the above improvements at the Darwin Airport Lodge and the
Asti Motel, six new sewing machines were recently distributed between the Darwin
APODs for the use of clients.
The Botanic Gardens Apartments APOD is used as short term accommodation only.
There are outdoor shaded areas for client use at the Botanic Gardens Apartments
APOD, and activities and excursions are arranged for clients on a case-by-case
basis.
During the school term, all school aged children have access to indoor and
outdoor activities as part of their education program.
- an adequate supply of reading materials in the principal languages spoken
by detainees
All NT detention facilities have a collection of resources in
various languages. Clients are also able to access reading materials through any
of the internet computers that are available to them.
A mobile library service is currently provided at the NIDC and further
enhancements at the site will include a permanent library for clients to access
reading materials.
The recent expansion of amenities at the Darwin Airport Lodge included a
library and the Asti Motel has a collection of reading materials available for
clients to access and borrow.
- sufficient communication facilities, in particular telephones and
internet terminals
Clients in immigration detention in Darwin are given access to a
variety of telecommunication equipment including fixed land line telephones and
internet terminals. There is no restriction on the amount of calls a client can
make when in immigration detention in Darwin, other than the need to extend
courtesy to other clients who might be wishing to make a call themselves.
Since the AHRC visit to the NIDC, an additional 10 new client phones were
installed. There are now 19 client phones available throughout the centre.
Usage of the telecommunication equipment will continue to be monitored and
facilities will be expanded if clients have difficulties accessing services.
Computer access at the NIDC is to be improved as part of the broader works
currently being undertaken. Serco have been authorised to purchase desks and
chairs to enable installation of a further 28 computers, this will effectively
double the capacity. Additional computers are anticipated to be in place by
April 2011.
As at 25 November 2010 there were a total of:
- 19 dedicated phone lines and 21 internet terminals at the NIDC
- 8 dedicated phone lines and 8 internet terminals at the Darwin Airport
Lodge
- At the Asti Motel every client has a phone in their room and there are 6
internet terminals
- 1 dedicated phone line and 2 internet terminals at Berrimah House
- regular external excursions
A regular program of excursions is in place for clients
in the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel. This includes visits to a local
bowling alley, recreational excursions and sporting activities such as soccer
and dance classes.
Excursions are regularly arranged for clients at the
NIDC. This includes religious excursions to local churches and mosques and bus
tours of Darwin. An expansion of the excursion program is currently being
planned and is anticipated to be in place by March 2011.
In addition to
the external excursions, a range of activities are in place in the NIDC.
Activities on-site include courses in Australian history, social development,
sewing, cooking classes, trivia, movie nights, bingo, music classes, arts and
crafts, yoga, gym and cardio training, billiards and other organised sporting
activities.
In addition, Serco have commenced gardening projects where
clients are involved in the production of vegetables as well as flower beds.
Fortnightly BBQs are also held in the NIDC where separate compounds mix, clients
cook for themselves and activities are arranged.
- regular religious services conducted by qualified religious
representatives.
A range of religious services are provided to clients within the
detention environment. The DSP has a Religious Liaison Officer (RLO) who is
responsible for the coordination of religious and cultural services for all
clients in immigration detention. Celebration of religious events such as Eid is
organised on-site by the RLO in conjunction with DIAC and LWB.
The main compounds within the NIDC have Muslim prayer rooms with a purpose
built washing facility to prepare for prayers; and multi faith prayer rooms. The
Darwin Airport Lodge and the Asti Motel have multi purpose rooms that are used
as prayer rooms. Clients are provided with a range of religious items including
Koran, prayer mats, songkoks, and Bibles.
Weekly excursions are now in place for clients from the NIDC to attend the
mosque. In consultation with the NT Islamic Society, a maximum of 50 clients are
able to attend each week. Clients are put on a weekly rotating roster of who is
able to attend the mosque.
Religious excursions are also in place for clients from the Darwin Airport
Lodge and the Asti Motel to attend the mosque, church services and the Hindu
Temple on a weekly basis.
The local Imam visits clients at the NIDC, Darwin Airport Lodge and the Asti
Motel three times a week to meet with clients and to provide pastoral care and
guidance.
The NT Islamic Society and the department are currently discussing further
services that may assist clients in detention such as Islamic education and
personal development classes over the school holidays.
Recommendation 9: The Australian Government should ensure that all
school-aged children in immigration detention in Darwin and elsewhere are
provided with access to educational opportunities of a standard and quality
equivalent to that in Australian schools. Wherever possible, this should take
place outside the detention environment by facilitating access to the Australian
school system.
On 7 September 2010, a Memorandum Of Understanding between DIAC and the NT
Department of Education and Training was signed. The department and its DSP has
worked closely with local schools to ensure school-aged children have access to
schooling that is appropriate to their age, level of maturity and cultural and
linguistic backgrounds.
The department’s policy is that all school-aged children, aged 5-15
have access to education in public schools. This is in line with the ‘Best
Interests of the Child’ guidelines from the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees Charter on the Rights of Children and the relevant
state legislation on education.
Older children, aged 17, and young adults attend English language lessons and
special life-skills classes.
A school holiday program is being organised for all minors - aged 5-15 and
16-17. The program will run over the period of 13 December 2010 to 21 January
2011.
The department is also exploring options for formal offsite activities for
those aged 0-4, as well as schooling for those aged 16-17.
Playgroup sessions are held at the APODs twice weekly for young children aged
0-4 with their parents. In addition, early childhood experts from Charles
Darwin University visited families at the Darwin Airport Lodge and Asti Motel to
specifically work with children aged 0-4 and their parents.
Soft toys, puzzles and games are available for children.
Recommendation 10: The Australian Government should stop using the Asti
Motel in Darwin as an ‘alternative place of detention’ as soon as
possible.
The Asti Motel in Darwin is viewed as a short-term APOD arrangement. When
additional capacity is developed and constructed, clients at the Asti Motel will
be moved as a priority.
On 18 October 2010, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration and
Citizenship announced the establishment of new detention accommodation on
mainland Australia to relieve the strain on the detention network. Inverbrackie
in South Australia, located approximately 37km east of Adelaide, will be used to
accommodate up to 400 family members.
In response to the limitations of the Asti Motel, there has been an increase
in excursions for clients. This has included bus tours, beach walks, outdoor and
indoor soccer, bowling and dance classes. Clients also participate in off-site
visits to religious sites, such as the mosque, Hindu temple and churches.
Clients are also able to engage in some sporting activities at the rear of the
Asti Motel.
[1] Migration > 21/8/2010 - >
P. 21/8/2010 - > PAM3 - MIGRATION ACT > Compliance instructions >
Compliance, case management & detention > Treatment of children - Guiding
principles
