A recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald sheds some light on the human cost of Australia’s policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers arriving by boat. In the year up to June 30 there were 39 instances of self-harm recorded in detention – a fourfold increase on the 10 cases recorded in the previous
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On Tuesday the Salvation Army released its latest report on poverty in Australia: Perceptions of Poverty, an Insight into the Nature and Impact of Poverty in Australia. The statistics are alarming. – Over two million Australians, or 1 in 10, do not have an acceptable standard of living and go without the bare necessities. –
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The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) welcomes the Government’s announcement today of plans to release the majority of unaccompanied children and families deemed to be ‘at risk’ from detention into the community by June 2011. The release of some children and families will make a significant positive difference to their welfare. However, there are many
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As of 14th October 2010 there are 723 children in detention in Australia. These children range in age from newborn to 18 years of age, including three babies who were born in detention. Children are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. How we treat children shapes their future, impacts what sort of
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Last week Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced the immediate lifting of the six month freeze imposed in April on the processing of Afghan asylum seekers. The decision was cautiously welcomed by UNHCR and other refugee advocates, yet they also warned against praising the government for ending a policy that should not have been introduced in
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