Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of DelphiResponsibility Of Detention Centres Must Lie Directly With Minister
January 21st 2009 00:27
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Immigration Minister Chris Evans to explain why detention centre operator G4S has had its contract extended, despite Labor's pre-election promise that the operation of the centres would return to the public sector.
The Labor Party's 2007 National Platform and Constitution specifically states that the operation of detention centres should be returned to government control, to ensure there is a clear line of responsibility back to the Minister.
"We need adequate transparency in the immigration process, to ensure that checks and balances are applied to these crucial matters of human rights and justice," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"Over the years, we have seen numerous breaches of G4S' contract, with claims of inhumane treatment and punitive operations, highlighting the need for immigration detention centres to be returned to the public sector.
"Surely with the recent changes to the direction of immigration policy in this country, greater transparency in detention centres would be a priority.
Senator Hanson-Young said that the recent inquiry into Immigration detention in Australia found there to be overwhelming support for the centres to be returned to public hands.
"Responsibility for the centres must lie directly with the Minister, to ensure we do not see a repeat of wrongful detention and treatment of detainees slip through the cracks," she said.
"We have seen enough buck-passing between the Department and G4S to suggest that something isn't working.
"The Minister must stray true to Labor's pre-election promise, and return detention centres back into the hands of the public sector.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
Australian Greens
20/01/2009
Media contact: Emily Johnson on 0427 604 760
The Labor Party's 2007 National Platform and Constitution specifically states that the operation of detention centres should be returned to government control, to ensure there is a clear line of responsibility back to the Minister.
"We need adequate transparency in the immigration process, to ensure that checks and balances are applied to these crucial matters of human rights and justice," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"Over the years, we have seen numerous breaches of G4S' contract, with claims of inhumane treatment and punitive operations, highlighting the need for immigration detention centres to be returned to the public sector.
"Surely with the recent changes to the direction of immigration policy in this country, greater transparency in detention centres would be a priority.
Senator Hanson-Young said that the recent inquiry into Immigration detention in Australia found there to be overwhelming support for the centres to be returned to public hands.
"Responsibility for the centres must lie directly with the Minister, to ensure we do not see a repeat of wrongful detention and treatment of detainees slip through the cracks," she said.
"We have seen enough buck-passing between the Department and G4S to suggest that something isn't working.
"The Minister must stray true to Labor's pre-election promise, and return detention centres back into the hands of the public sector.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
Australian Greens
20/01/2009
Media contact: Emily Johnson on 0427 604 760
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