Australia's Immigration Department Shame
December 6th 2006 13:11
It seems that following the release of the Commonwealth ombudsman’s report that showed ten Australian citizens had been wrongfully detained by the Immigration department no one within the Federal Government wants to take any blame for it.
It leaves one to ask the question “What does it take for a Government Minister to accept ultimate responsibility and if they don't then who does?”
Of the twenty cases the Ombudsman looked at only two in fact were unlawful non-citizens the rest were citizens, permanent residents or visa holders when detained.
Emails were released that showed Immigration officials were responsible for attempting to deport one family “asap” before a daughter of the family turned 10 and as such would be then entitled to citizenship and in another case an official described a detainees low intelligence as a reason he would not know he was being held illegally.
It is this kind of culture which has been a feature of the immigration department in these cases and other more celebrated cases such as Cornilea Rau and Vivan Solon. Where does this culture emerge from and find sucker? In the Federal governments attitude and demonisation of immigrants especially refugees.
The government has seen no problem with jailing women and children who come here seeking refugee from oppression and victimisation. It has sought to portray them as possible terrorists, queue jumpers and criminals when in fact they are nothing more then people who are forced to flee or are seeking a better life for their families.
Is it any wonder then that immigration officials may then feel that they are acting in the government’s best interest.
It is time for a broom to put through all levels of the Immigration department from the top down and for the Minister top accept some responsibility for what has occurred. if not for the actions of the department officials then for at least not having systems in place for a regular review of people held in detention. Don't forget it was the Media that raised this issue these reports were not made because the government had taken it on as something they should do. They were forced to inquire into these events because of pressure and exposure from the Media
Amanda Vanstone the Immigration Minister attempts to portray this as showing the government is cleaning up the department but had these cases not come to light through media reports does any think there would not be Australian citizens sitting in immigration detention centres or worse still living overseas after being deported.
It is time for the blame game to end and for the government and in particular the Minister to fall on their sword.
It leaves one to ask the question “What does it take for a Government Minister to accept ultimate responsibility and if they don't then who does?”
Of the twenty cases the Ombudsman looked at only two in fact were unlawful non-citizens the rest were citizens, permanent residents or visa holders when detained.
Emails were released that showed Immigration officials were responsible for attempting to deport one family “asap” before a daughter of the family turned 10 and as such would be then entitled to citizenship and in another case an official described a detainees low intelligence as a reason he would not know he was being held illegally.
It is this kind of culture which has been a feature of the immigration department in these cases and other more celebrated cases such as Cornilea Rau and Vivan Solon. Where does this culture emerge from and find sucker? In the Federal governments attitude and demonisation of immigrants especially refugees.
The government has seen no problem with jailing women and children who come here seeking refugee from oppression and victimisation. It has sought to portray them as possible terrorists, queue jumpers and criminals when in fact they are nothing more then people who are forced to flee or are seeking a better life for their families.
Is it any wonder then that immigration officials may then feel that they are acting in the government’s best interest.
It is time for a broom to put through all levels of the Immigration department from the top down and for the Minister top accept some responsibility for what has occurred. if not for the actions of the department officials then for at least not having systems in place for a regular review of people held in detention. Don't forget it was the Media that raised this issue these reports were not made because the government had taken it on as something they should do. They were forced to inquire into these events because of pressure and exposure from the Media
Amanda Vanstone the Immigration Minister attempts to portray this as showing the government is cleaning up the department but had these cases not come to light through media reports does any think there would not be Australian citizens sitting in immigration detention centres or worse still living overseas after being deported.
It is time for the blame game to end and for the government and in particular the Minister to fall on their sword.
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