| |
Details |
|
| 2000 |
In January, Minister Ruddock meets with high level
Government Ministers and officials in Jordan,
Syria,
Turkey,
Iran
and Pakistan.
The aim is to discuss the issue of people smuggling, to inform
the five governments of Australia's strong position against people
smuggling and the new laws to enforce it, and to develop a 'global
approach' to the problem. The Minister also meets with representatives
of the UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration and
the Red Cross. As a result of the meetings, agreements to cooperate
are made in the areas of exchange of intelligence on people smuggling,
increased technical cooperation, and (in the cases of Syria
and Turkey)
agreement on the return of illegal entrants. The cooperation represents
an extension of cooperation against people smuggling. Australia
already has in place a Memorandum of Understanding (signed on
25 January 1995) and effective working relationship with the Peoples Republic of China
on the matter. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Releases:
MPS 001/2000, 7January 2000; MPS 002/2000, 12 January 2000; MPS
004/2000, 16 January 2000; MPS 005/2000, 19 January 2000; MPS
006/2000, 20 January 2000 |
| 2000 |
Announcing the return of 73 Chinese boat people, who
landed illegally at Christmas Island in December
1999, Minister Ruddock says that since 1 November 1999, 29 boats
and 2245 people have arrived illegally in Australia,
mostly from the Middle East and the sub
continent. Crew members arriving with such boats face up to 20
years in jail and up to $220 000 in fines. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 011/2000, 28 January 2000 |
| 2000 |
East Timorese who were admitted under temporary Safe
Haven arrangements continue to return home, with 270 returned
between 20 and 27 February. The UNHCR has assessed the situation
in East Timor as safe, and
East Timorese leaders, Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos-Horta, also
call for the East Timorese to return. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 023/2000, 27 February 2000 |
| 2000 |
With the end of the European winter, Minister Ruddock
announces that the remaining Safe Haven Kosovars in Australia,
numbering about 500, are to be returned around 8 April. They have
been in Australia
on a temporary basis for almost a year. The cost to Australia
of assisting the 3924 Kosovars under the Safe Haven program is
$100 million. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 028/2000, 15 March 2000 |
| 2000 |
In March, Minister Ruddock visits six European nations
(England,
Germany,
Switzerland,
Belgium,
the Netherlands
and Italy)
for discussions to strengthen Australia's
global approach to combating people smuggling. The European trip
follows the Minister's January visit to Middle Eastern countries,
which had the same anti-people smuggling goal. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 029/2000, 16 March 2000 |
| 2000 |
A charter flight is scheduled for 8 April to return
the remaining Kosovars to their homeland. A total of 259 Kosovars
are involved but 130 have their temporary visas extended, mainly
for medical reasons. An additional 110 are allowed to apply for
protection visas and two are permitted to apply for partner visas
on the basis of a relationship with an Australian. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 033/2000, 3 April 2000 |
| 2000 |
The planning level for the 20002001 Migration (non-Humanitarian)
Program is 76 000 places. There is an increase in the Skill
Stream, especially in high demand occupations such as information
technology and accounting. The Skill Stream target is 40 000,
and the Family Stream is 34 4000. A total of 1600 places
are reserved for the Special Eligibility Stream. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 034/2000, 3 April 2000 |
| 2000 |
The target for the 20002001 Humanitarian Program
is set at 12 000 places, with possible supplementation by
any unused places rolled over from the 19992000 program. Four
thousand places are allocated to refugees and 4000 for the Special
Humanitarian Program and Special Assistance Category combined.
The latter is to be closed during 20002001. Minister Ruddock
says that 'The increase in unauthorised boat arrivals to Australia
in recent months has placed great pressure on the capacity of
Australia
to assist with resettlement of people in need overseas'. In expressing
a desire to increase the number of places available offshore,
the Minister says 'this will depend on the number of people claiming
asylum onshore'. Priority in the offshore program continues to
be given to former Yugoslavia,
the Middle East, South West
Asia and Africa. |
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs,
Media Release, MPS 035/2000, 3 April 2000 |
| 2000 |
More than 250 boat people are feared drowned after
three boats transporting them illegally to Australia
disappeared. Intelligence gathered later suggests that the boats
were overloaded and unseaworthy when they left Indonesia
and that the gangs who smuggled the people may have tied their
'human cargo' with rope to prevent them rushing to the sheltered
side of the boats in the prevailing bad weather conditions. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS un-numbered/2000, 13 April 2000
B.
Nicholson, 'Hundreds die tied up to hulks', Sunday Age,
23 July 2000 |
| 2000 |
The East Hills safe haven centre is formally closed
on 6 May. The centre was the first safe haven to open and the
last to close. It processed and received thousands of Kosovars
and East Timorese. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 045/2000, 6 May 2000 |
| 2000 |
The 2000 Budget allocates an additional $116.8 million
to introduce measures to tackle people smuggling and for a long-term
strategy to establish new detention centres. More than $12 million
is allocated to expand the number of DIMA compliance officers
overseas, at posts in Islamabad, Belgrade, Moscow, Amman, Tehran, Suva and Cairo. More than $52
million is allocated for the construction of two new Immigration
Reception and Processing Centres, at Darwin and Brisbane, and
for the redevelopment of existing centres. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 046/2000, Budget Media Relase No. 1, 9 May 2000 |
| 2000 |
In May, migration regulations covering Australia's
'safe third country' arrangement with the People's Republic of
China
are renewed. The arrangement facilitates the return to the PRC
of Sino-Vietnamese refugees who have been settled in the PRC and
who have subsequently arrived in Australia
unlawfully. The regulations are part of the Memorandum of Understanding
signed by Australia
and the PRC on 25 January 1995. The regulations are reviewed every
two years to ensure that the return of such people to the PRC
is still appropriate. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 051/2000, 15 May 2000 |
| 2000 |
Following a series of mass escapes from detention
centres in Woomera, Curtin and Port Hedland, a high level government
task force is established to review security measures at all immigration
centres holding detainees. The task force is headed by Secretary
of DIMA, Bill Farmer, and includes secretaries of the Departments
of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence,
Attorney-General's and Finance and Administration. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 062/2000, 13 June 2000 |
| 2000 |
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
releases three video productions for distribution in people smuggling
'source and transit countries'. The videos contain messages from
victims of people smugglers who warn others not to be duped. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 063/2000, 15 June 2000 |
| 2000 |
Penalties on airlines that bring passengers to Australia
without proper documentation are increased from $3000 to $5000.
DIMA continues to encourage airlines to link their passenger processing
systems to those of the Department so that a passenger's status
can be confirmed during the check-in. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 066/2000, 21 June 2000 |
| 2000 |
Special long-term temporary visas are created for
a small group of remaining Kosovars who are undergoing treatment
for trauma. The visas provide for three years' temporary stay
in order to receive ongoing medical treatment. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 069/2000, 28 June 2000 |
| 2000 |
In July, Minister Ruddock visits Singapore,
Malaysia,
Thailand,
India
and France
for discussions on people smuggling and to develop international
cooperation against it. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 075/2000, 9 July 2000 |
| 2000 |
The Migration (non-Humanitarian) Program for 19992000
delivers 70 200 visas. A total of 35 330 are in the
Skill Stream, which is the highest level since 19911992, and
32 000 in the Family Stream. Another 2850 are in the Special
Eligibility stream. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 077/2000, 27 July 2000 |
| 2000 |
Funding worth $22.8 million over three years under
the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' Community
Settlement Services Scheme is announced to help community and
service organisations in the provision of settlement services
to migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 085/2000, 17 August 2000 |
| 2000 |
On 29 August, Minister Ruddock indicates that he will
lead Australia's
'intensified efforts in working with other countries and United
Nations officials to reform the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and its Executive Committee'. The Australian
Government seeks reforms to the UNHCR that will make it more effective
in 'meeting the challenges of providing protection to those most
in need, while combating people smuggling'. Ruddock says 'We need
to arrest the trend which has led to some pressure groups and
organisations seeking to extend the scope of the Convention [1951
UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees] in ways which
countries did not envisage, when they signed'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 088/2000, 29 August 2000 |
| 2000 |
Cooperation between Australia
and Vietnam
against people smuggling and illegal immigration is strengthened
by a new agreement. Special attention is to be paid to those responsible
for the importation, fabrication or selling of fraudulent travel
documents and to the sharing of intelligence about people smugglers'
methods of operation and routes. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 095/2000, 14 September 2000 |
| 2000 |
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
publishes Refugee and humanitarian issues - Australia's response,
a booklet explaining Australia's
refugee and humanitarian policies in terms of the global context.
The booklet is launched during Refugee Week. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 103/2000, 12 October 2000 |
| 2000 |
After being 'appraised of further claims, of an individual
character', Minister Ruddock allows a group of Kosovars being
held at Port Hedland to apply for bridging visas which will release
them from detention. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 110/2000, 31 October 2000 |
| 2000 |
A significant increase in settler arrivals of nearly
10 per cent is recorded for 19992000. Of the total of 92 272
settler arrivals, 52 377 (62 per cent of the total) are in
the Skill Stream. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 113/2000, 8 November 2000 |
| 2000 |
On 22 November, Minister Ruddock announces that an
Inquiry will be held into allegations of child abuse at the Woomera
Immigration Reception and Processing Centre. The Inquiry is chaired
by Mr. Philip Flood AO and looks into the processes in place for
dealing with allegations or instances of child abuse in detention
centres. The role of both the Department of Immigration and Multicultural
Affairs and the company that manages the Woomera centre, Australian
Correctional Management, is also examined. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 118/2000, 22 November 2000 |
| 2000 |
Nineteen people who are unlawfully in Australia
are returned to China
from Port Hedland detention centre. Two arrived without authorisation
by boat in October and seventeen overstayed their visas. A total
of 269 people have been returned to the People's Republic of China
since July. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 122/2000, 29 November 2000 |
| 2000 |
On 13 December, Minister Ruddock issues a Media Release
concerning reports that two boats carrying up to 163 seeking unlawful
entry into Australia
might have sunk en route to Ashmore Islands. He says the
Australian Maritime Safety Authority has been asked to locate
any maritime reports of the incident and that Coastwatch has been
informed. Due to a cyclone, the weather conditions in the area
are 'atrocious'. Ruddock describes people smuggling as a 'heinous
trade in human misery'. (In early January 2001, the people on
the boats are accounted for and found not to have drowned but
mostly to have arrived unlawfully in late December.) |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 132/2000, 13 December 2000 and MPS 134/2000, 14 December 2000 |
| 2000 |
The South Australian Family and Youth Services (FAYS),
which has been independently investigating allegations of sexual
abuse of a 12 year old boy at Woomera detention centre, issues
its findings. FAYS concludes that there is no evidence to substantiate
allegations of abuse against the boy. The Flood Inquiry, established
by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, is
to continue with its examination of the mechanisms and processes
for reporting allegations of this nature within Australia's
detention centres. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 137/2000, 18 December 2000 |
| 2001 |
Two boatloads of people believed to have drowned en
route to the Ashmore Islands in December
are accounted for. The boats experienced mechanical difficulties
in rough seas and returned to Indonesia
for repairs, before attempting the journey again. Most of the
original group arrive unlawfully in Australia
in late December. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS un-numbered, 3 January 2001 |
| 2001 |
In the 2000 calendar year, 51 boats carrying 2939
passengers arrive unlawfully in Australia.
In 1999 the number is 3722 people on 86 boats. However, in the
last two weeks of December 2000, 12 boats arrive with about 800
people. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS un-numbered, 3 January 2001 |
| 2001 |
About 300 detainees at Curtin Immigration Reception
and Processing Centre attack staff with makeshift weapons during
a melee sparked by cultural differences between Iranians and Afghans.
A detainee is hospitalised with stab wounds. Marion Le, of the
Independent Council for Refugee Advocacy, says it is bad management
to put different religious sects with a history of war in their
own countries into custody together. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 09/2001, 30 January 2001
M.
Barton, 'New detention battle centre', West Australian,
31 January 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock meets with senior government Ministers
in Iran
in January, a year after his first meeting with them. Iran
is host to two million people from Iraq
and Afghanistan.
Ruddock briefs the Iranian Ministers on developments in Australia's
efforts to combat people smuggling and both governments agree
to continue cooperation on the matter. The Minister also meets
with senior officials in Jordan,
Syria
and Turkey
and secures further agreement in such areas as exchange of intelligence,
enhanced technical cooperation and action in multilateral agencies
like the UNHCR. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS un-numbered, 8 January 2001 and MPS 006/2001, 20 January 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 4 February, Minister Ruddock responds to criticisms
that the Government has not addressed processing times for unlawful
arrivals. He says:
Since mid-1999, the number of trained staff allocated
to processing asylum claims has more than doubled. While 80 per
cent of protection claims made by boat arrivals in late 1999 received
a decision within seven and a half months, this had reduced to
less than 15 weeks for applications made in late 2000. Where a
case has gone to the Refugee Review Tribunal, processing times
have consistently averaged less than 70 days.
In calendar year 2000, 3770 people are released from
detention on Temporary Protection Visas and, of the 1118 detainees
waiting for a decision, more than 800 have been in detention for
less than six weeks. The Minister says that a further 367 detainees
'have been found not to be refugees and are pursuing review and
litigation opportunities. The remaining 888 detainees are awaiting
removal, having either not made asylum claims or having had claims
exhaustively examined and rejected'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 011/2001, 4 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
Detainees at Woomera and Curtin are examined for typhoid,
following the detection of a number of cases. Eighteen former
detainees are examined by health authorities in Victoria but reveal
no symptoms. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 010/2001, 2 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock accuses the Labor State Governments
of Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland of 'funding
incentives which will be used by people smugglers to encourage
unlawful arrivals to Australia'.
The claim is prompted by State government support to holders of
Temporary Protection Visas. The Minister says the Bracks' Labor
Government in Victoria provides $100 000
to TPV holders, in addition to housing and other services totalling
$625 000. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 13/2001, 14 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock estimates that it costs around $300
million a year to detain and process unlawful arrivals. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 016/2001, 15 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 21 February, Minister Ruddock announces that, on
the basis of new information provided to him, a Kosovar family
illegally (i.e. they overstayed their safe haven visa) in Australia
will be allowed to apply for visas to remain here permanently.
In the meantime, the family is granted a bridging visa. The family
came to Australia
as part of Operation Safe Haven. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 018/2001, 21 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 27 February, Minister Ruddock announces a plan
to trial alternative detention arrangements for women and children
at Woomera. (Administrative measures required for the trial's
commencement are announced on 25 May, and the trial begins on
7 August.) |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 021/2001, 27 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
An Immigration Detention Advisory Group is established
to advise the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
on the appropriateness and adequacy of services, accommodation
and facilities at immigration detention centres around Australia.
The 8-person group is chaired by former Minister for Immigration
and Ethnic Affairs, John Hodges, and includes former Minister
for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, Gerry Hand.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 022/2001, 27 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Flood Report - Inquiry into Immigration Detention
Procedures - is tabled in Parliament on 27 February. The report
into procedures for dealing with allegations of child abuse in
detention centres examines 35 cases and concludes that, in all
but one case, allegations or incidents were handled in accord
with relevant legislation and departmental procedures. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 023/2001, 27 February 2001 |
| 2001 |
Fourteen peopleconsisting of seven men, two women
and five children from the Middle East and Africaescape from Villawood
Immigration Detention Centre on 26 March by cutting through fencing.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs commissions
an independent review of the escape. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 034/2001, 27 March 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Government rejects the findings of the Human Rights
and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) in relation to two former
asylum seekers. HREOC finds that the Department of Immigration
and Multicultural Affairs has breached the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and recommends compensation
of $20 000 and $15 000 to each individual. Minister
Ruddock declines to make the payment to the individuals, on the
grounds that his Department did not breach the ICCPR. The Minister
argues that HREOC has mistakenly equated 'arrival separation'
in immigration detention centres with 'incommunicado detention'.
The Minister says:
In separation detention, detainees are able to communicate
with relatives overseas in particular, to let them know they have
arrived safely. Detainees are also free to interact with others
at the same stage of processing However, they are not able to
communicate initially with those at a more advanced stage of processing
in order to protect the integrity of the protection visa process.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 035/2001, 28 March 2001 |
| 2001 |
Shahraz Kiane (Kayani) sets fire to himself outside
of Parliament House, Canberra, in protest
at the Government's failure to allow his family to join him from
Pakistan.
He sought asylum in Australia
in 1996 and was granted a protection visa, and became a permanent
resident. He took out Australian citizenship in 1999. (His name
is recorded by mistake as Kiane, and he is referred to by that
spelling from then on.) His application to bring out his family
was refused (mainly because his daughter is disabled and in need
of expensive medical treatment) but, following an inquiry by the
Ombudsman, the family was invited toward the end of 2000 to submit
a new application. The new application is being considered at
the time of the man's protest. Mr. Kayani dies from his injuries
in late May. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 038/2001, 2 April 2001 and MPS 039/2001, 3 April 2001
C. Kremmer, 'Long-distance agony over father's desperate
protest, SMH, 5 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 5 April, Minister Ruddock issues a Media Release
jointly with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer,
and the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, indicating measures
Australia
will take to reform the United Nations Treaty Committee system.
Key initiatives are that Australia
will host a Ministerial meeting at the time of the UN General
Assembly to 'stimulate political momentum for reform' and Australia
will also host a series of workshops to look at the practicalities
of reform. The Ministers and Attorney-General also call for additional
resources for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
from the core UN budget. Australia
seeks election to the Commission on Human Rights for the period
20032005. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 042/2001, 5 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
The United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Contemporary
Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia accepts
the Government's long-standing invitation (since 1998) to visit
Australia. Professor Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo visits several cities
and towns between 22 April and 10 May. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 043/2001, 12 April 2001
Joint
Statement with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer. |
| 2001 |
The planned Migration (non-Humanitarian) Program for
20012002 has 85 000 places, with 45 500 (54 per cent)
in the Skill Stream, 37 900 in the Family Stream and 1600
in the Special Eligibility Stream. Minister Ruddock says that
the greater emphasis on skills over the past five years has begun
to 'deliver clear economic and budgetary benefits'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 045/2001, 27 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
In announcing the planned Humanitarian Program for
20012002, Minister Ruddock says that 'Every time someone comes
here illegally seeking asylum is granted refugee status it means
that someone in greater need overseas who does not have the money
to pay a people smuggler misses out'. He says the continued unauthorised
arrivals threaten 'Australia's
ability to help those most in need'. The Humanitarian Program
is maintained at 12 000 which, the Minister says, makes Australia
one of the most generous per capita refugee and humanitarian resettlement
countries in the world. He releases comparative figures showing
that in 2000, Australia
resettled 41 people per 100 000 of its population, making
it second only to Canada,
which resettled 45 per 100 000. Ruddock also points out that
most other developed nations, including the United Kingdom
and Germany,
do not have a resettlement program. The Humanitarian Program continues
to give priority to Africa, the Middle East and South-West
Asia and the former Yugoslavia.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 046/2001, 27 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
Within the 20012002 Humanitarian Program, the Government
puts aside a notional 6300 places to meet possible onshore requirements.
As a result, there is limited scope to cater for offshore demand
under the Special Humanitarian Program. The 6300 notional places
are created to cope with a possible increase in unauthorised boat
arrivals and claims from people who arrive lawfully by air. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 046/2001, 27 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
More than 40 000 people are extending their stay
in Australia
through the use of bridging visas and litigation. Immigration
litigation reaches 'totally unacceptable levels', according to
Minister Ruddock, with 1437 applications to the Courts and Administrative
Appeals Tribunal in the first three-quarters of 2001, compared
with 1589 in the whole of 19992000 and less than a thousand five
years earlier. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 048/2001, 29 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
In 19992000, a total of 14 369 people were located
who had either overstayed or breached their visa conditions. This
is an increase on the 19981999 figure of 13 284. Approximately
58 000 people are estimated to be living in Australia
illegally. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 049/2001, 30 April 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
announces that the provision of immigration detention services
is to go to tender. The services have currently been supplied
under contract by Australasian Correctional Services since February
1998. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 16/2001, 25 May 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 11 May, a riot occurs at Port Hedland detention
centre, sparked by attempts to move six Iranian detainees. Twenty-two
detainees are later charged over their involvement. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 18A/2001, 26 May 2001
'Tear
gas used on detainees', The West Australian, 12 May 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock responds to criticism levelled by
Amnesty International at Australia's
treatment of asylum seekers. He says that the Guidelines of the
UNHCR allow for detention for the purposes of identification and
assessment of claims and that the UN Human Rights Committee has
confirmed that Australia's
detention policy does not breach the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 068/2001, 31 May 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 2 June, tear gas is deployed against detainees
at Curtin detention centre when about 200 detainees burn down
a small building and violently damage other property. The violence
is sparked after a group of more than 50 are told they have no
legal basis to remain and are to be removed from Australia. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 19/2001, 2 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
$5.3 million is made available by the Australian Government
for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
In a joint Media Release with Alexander Downer, the Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister Ruddock says the aid is 'part
of an integrated approach focusing on activities to address the
humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, bolster protection for Afghan
refugees in the region and reduce the potential for irregular
migration and people smuggling'. Australia's
assistance to Afghanistan
and Afghan refugees in Iran
and Pakistan
is $12 million in 20002001. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 071/2001, 7 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 9 June, seven detainees abscond from Woomera detention
centre by burrowing under a perimeter fence. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 20/2001, 10 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock visits Indonesia,
Thailand
and Vietnam
for discussions with Ministers and officials on continuing regional
cooperation on the illegal movement of people. Thailand
remains a significant transit point for people travelling onto
Indonesia
and Australia
but there has been a drop in the number of people transiting Thailand
for Australia
as a result of cooperation between the two countries in identifying
fraudulent documentation. In Hanoi, the Minister
signs a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the return to
Vietnam of Vietnamese nationals in Australia
who have committed crimes in Australia.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 078/2001, 18 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
Australia
hosts a workshop in Geneva to discuss ways
of improving the process of reporting to the six United Nations'
human rights' treaty committees. The workshop, which is part of
the diplomatic initiative of the Australian Government announced
on 5 April, brings together for the first time the key participants
in the UN treaty committee system. Weaknesses in the existing
UN human rights' treaty committees are revealed in a study undertaken
by Canadian academic, Professor Anne Bayefsky. The report found
that there are 1200 overdue reportsyet only 1600 have been considered
by the committees over the past 30 years. The great majority of
UN members have overdue reports. The Australian-led workshop seeks
to find ways to 'reduce duplication, produce shorter, thematic
reports and more sensible timeframes'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 79/2001, 19 June 2001
Joint
Statement with Attorney-General Daryl Williams and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade, Alexander Downer. |
| 2001 |
World Refugee Day is inaugurated by the UNHCR on 20
June. Minister Ruddock marks the day by pointing to Australia's
'proud tradition of helping those most in need'. In the past 50
years, Australia
has resettled about 600 000 refugees and displaced people.
The Minister uses the occasion to reiterate his opposition to
people smuggling:
Every time someone who has the resources to pay people
smugglers arrives unlawfully in Australia and is granted refugee
status, a place is denied to someone else languishing in the most
undesirable circumstances. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 080/2001, 20 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 21 June, Minister Ruddock circulates a summary
of detention facilities and services to all Members of Parliament
and Senators. The 14-page document is designed to counter what
he regards as 'misinformed comment'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 081/2001, 21 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Immigration
Detainees) Act 2001 is passed by Parliament on 28 June.
Prompted by violent disturbances at Woomera, Curtin and Port Hedland
Immigration Reception and Processing Centres, it increases levels
of security and safety for detainees and staff in detention centres.
Specifically, the Act makes it an offence for a detainee to manufacture,
possess, use or distribute a weapon, increases the penalty for
escape, and introduces additional security measures for visitors.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 083/2001, 29 June 2001 |
| 2001 |
In 20002001, a total of 14 238 unlawful non-citizens
are located, representing a 4.8 per cent increase on the previous
year. The figure includes people lawfully in Australia
who are in breach of their visa conditions. At 30 June 2001, there
are an estimated 60 103 people unlawfully in Australia.
|
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 60/2001, 20 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Law Council of Australia calls on the Federal
Government to reinstate the jurisdiction of the Federal Court
to hear matters 'clogging' the High Court's workload. The Council
says there has been a six-fold increase in migration cases over
the past two years. Minister Ruddock responds by urging the Law
Counciland the Oppositionto support Bills before the Senate
that aim to make Tribunal decisions conclusive and reduce class
actions in migration matters. He says the Council's claim of a
six-fold increase is erroneous: the number of migration matters
coming before the High Court 'had dropped by 27 per cent from
the 19992000 to 20002001 financial years'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 89/2001, 3 July 2001
R.
Campbell, 'High Court's workload must be lightened', Canberra
Times, 18 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
Fewer unauthorised boats arrive in Australia
during the year 20002001. A total of 54 boats arrive in 20002001
compared with 74 in 19992000. The number of passengers also drops
slightly, from 4175 in 19992000 to 4141 in 20002001. Minister
Ruddock attributes the declining numbers to the disruption of
people smuggling activities as a result of cooperation with countries
in the Middle East and Asia, as well as Australia's
introduction of higher penalties on people smugglers. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 087/2001, 3 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 4 July, Cambodian authorities intercept a boat
preparing to unlawfully transport 242 Middle Eastern people to
Australia.
A large number of the passengers tell Cambodian authorities that
on arrival in Australia
they were going to claim to be fleeing Afghanistan.
However, they are found not to be Afghan citizens, despite carrying
Afghan passports. More than half of the group indicate they lived
in Pakistan,
Iran
and the Gulf States. All but
four have return tickets to Pakistan
or the United Arab Emirates,
which means they have a right of re-entry to those countries.
Minister Ruddock reiterates his view that it is 'deeply regrettable
that Australia's ability to take the most urgent casesthose languishing
in refugee campswas under threat by people who bypassed the normal
resettlement processes offshore by paying criminals to bring them
to Australia'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 092/2001, 6 July 2001 and MPS 112/2001, 7 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
Thailand's
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Surakiart Sathirathi, and Minister
Ruddock sign an agreement to fight people smuggling and illegal
immigration. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 091/2001, 6 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock presents an 'update' to a Senate
Estimates Committee on progress in implementing the Flood Report's
recommendations. Memoranda of Understanding are being negotiated
with health, welfare and police departments at the state level
to define their role within the detention environment. (A Memorandum
of Understanding with the South Australian Department of Human
Services is signed early in December.) The Minister says that
many of Flood's recommendations were already being undertaken
at the time of the report. He points to progress in such areas
as reducing processing times, improving the physical environment
at Woomera, the alternative detention arrangements for women and
children, allocation of additional long-term Australian Correctional
Management (ACM) staff at Woomera, external evaluation of ACM
training program for new officers and a review of Immigration
Detention Standards. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 093/2001, 9 July 2001 and MPS 190/2001, 6 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 19 July, 23 detainees escape from Villawood detention
centre. The group includes four Algerians, five Somalis, one Pakistani,
three Indians, one Iranian, eight Afghanis and one Iraqi. The
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs launches an
investigation. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 27/2001, 19 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Migration (non-Humanitarian) Program for 20002001
results in 80 610 visas (including 4450 grants in the Skill
Stream contingency reserve). About 55 per cent of the Program
outcome is in the Skill Stream, in keeping with the Government's
commitment to a program that will deliver economic, budgetary
and employment benefits. A total of 33 470 grants are made
in the Family Stream and there are 2420 in the Special Eligibility
Stream. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 097/2001, 20 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
A group of 23 detainees escape from Villawood detention
centre. It is the second escape within a week: 23 others escaped
on 19 July. The group includes three Kuwaitis, one Algerian, eight
PRC nationals, eight Vietnamese, one south Korean, one Indonesian
and one Macedonian. The majority of the group are not asylum seekers.
|
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 28/2001, 22 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 26 May, a man dies at Villawood detention centre,
as a result of 'a self-harm attempt'. The man's visa was cancelled
on arrival at Sydney International Airport the day before
and he was transferred to Villawood. The man travelled to Australia
on a South African passport. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 19/2001, 26 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
A preliminary report into the July escapes from Villawood
detention centre results in a tightening of security, including
a strengthening of perimeter security. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 106/2001, 31 July 2001 |
| 2001 |
The alternative detention project for women and children
at Woomera commences on 7 August. The project involves a maximum
of 25 volunteers and is to be closely evaluated during its proposed
duration of three to six months. Participants are still in detention
but live in a cluster of four three-bedroom houses leased from
the Department of Defence. The women and children selected for
the project must have a family member at the Woomera Immigration
Reception and Processing Centre, have an application for asylum
under consideration and pose no character or management risks.
|
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 110/2001, 6 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
The 20002001 Humanitarian Program resettles 7992
people from offshore and 5741 onshore (5577 places for people
granted temporary or permanent protection visas and 164 temporary
humanitarian stay visas). Of the protection visas granted in Australia,
4452 go to people who arrived in Australia
without proper authority. These are Temporary Protection Visas.
The priority regions for the offshore intake remain Africa, the Middle East and the former
Yugoslavia.
In 20002001, 43 per cent of offshore grants are made to Europeans,
mainly from the regions of the former Yugoslavia,
25 per cent to Africans and 20 per cent to people from the Middle East. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 111/2001, 7 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 19 August, Minister Ruddock and the Hon Bruce Scott
MP, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, issue a joint
statement regarding the arrival of an unauthorised boat which
they do not identify by name. The joint media statement says:
'A boat carrying 348 men, women and children, believed to be of
Middle Eastern origin, arrived on Christmas Island, 2650 kilometres
north-west of Perth, on Thursday [16 August]'. It continues: 'Two
Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules aircraft are bound for
Christmas Island to assist
Immigration authorities ease the strain on the island's resources'.
A 'shuttle service' of the Hercules aircraft is planned to relocate
more than 230 of the unlawful arrivals to Port Hedland. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 121/2001, 19 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Commonwealth Ombudsman issues a report into the
death of Shahraz Kiane (Kayani), who died of self-inflicted burns
in a protest outside Parliament House in April, and criticises
the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for taking
so long (five years) to make a final decision as to whether his
family would be permitted to join him in Australia. The Ombudsman
says, 'The history of this case is one of administrative ineptitude
and of broken promises'. Minister Ruddock describes the report
as 'unbalanced' and says that two key issues in the case relate
to 'whether Mr. Kiane could have returned safely to live in Pakistan
with his spouse and three children' and 'what weight could be
given to the claims of Mr. Kiane and his extended family that
they would bear the health and social welfare costs involved'.
(The latter point is in reference to Mr. Kiane's 10-year old disabled
daughter, Annum. Mr. Ruddock says he had to take into account
'potential costs of $750 000'.) |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 122/2001, 22 August 2001
A.
Clennell, 'Ombudsman blasts 'inept' department over migrant's
suicide', SMH, 23 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
The number of immigration appeals to the courts and
the Administrative Appeals Tribunal reaches record levels in 20002001,
with 2003 new appeals recorded (an increase of 26 per cent over
the previous year when 1590 were recorded). There is an increase
of almost 40 per cent in the number of 'first instance' appeals
to the Federal Court and a 19 per cent increase in appeals to
the Full Federal Court. Minister Ruddock maintains that people
are using the courts to delay their departure. He says that 'more
than 65 per cent of appeals to the Federal Court seek review of
decisions of the Refugee Review Tribunal, but less than 1 per
cent of those commencing the judicial process are likely to obtain
a visa and be permitted to remain in Australia'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 126/2001, 26 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
The Community Settlement Services Scheme (CSSS) provides
$18.4 million to community organisations over three years. The
CSSS supports groups that help refugees and migrants settle into
Australian society, such as the provision of information on employment,
housing and education. The Scheme complements the Government's
network of services available to refugees and migrants. The overall
funding for the settlement services network in 2001 is $24.6 million. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 127/2001, 27 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 29 August, Prime Minister John Howard tables the
Border Protection Bill 2001. The Bill seeks to put beyond doubt
the domestic legal basis for actions taken in relation to foreign
ships within the territorial sea of Australia, and is prompted
by the unauthorised arrival of the MV Tampa, carrying 433
people, north-west of Christmas Island, on 26 August. The Bill
seeks to permit an 'officer' to direct the master of a ship within
the territorial sea to take it outside the territorial sea. It
also seeks to make any actions taken within it non-reviewable
in any Australian court. The Bill is rejected in the Senate. The
Tampa
is the subject of considerable public controversy and is interdicted
by Special Air Service members when it proceeds into territorial
waters surrounding Christmas Island on the
29th. Action taken by the Victorian Council for Civil
Liberties (VCCL) to have the Tampa passengers admitted to mainland
Australia succeeds in the Federal Court on 11 September (i.e.
Justice North finds that the 'rescuees' had been unlawfully detained
on the Tampa and orders that they be brought to the mainland).
However, an appeal by Minister Ruddock to the Full Bench of the
Federal Court finds that the Commonwealth has sufficient executive
power to control the movement of the Tampa and that the rescuees
had not been detained for the purposes of the VCCL's habeas
corpus writ. |
N.
Hancock, 'Border Protection (Validation and Enforcement Powers)
Bill 2001', Bills Digest No. 62, Department of the
Parliamentary Library, Canberra, pp. 34 |
| 2001 |
The Migration Legislation Amendment (Immigration Detainees)
Bill (No.2 2001 is passed by Federal Parliament on 29 August.
The legislation permits the use of metal detector scans on detainees
and provides powers to strip search. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 129/2001, 29 August 2001 |
| 2001 |
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and the Shadow Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, release the Labor Party's
international strategy to combat people smuggling. Describing
people smuggling as 'a critical international challenge for Australia',
the statement says 'We must not allow our immigration policy to
be subverted by unchecked illegal arrivals'. Beazley reiterates
his party's plan to establish an Australian Coast Guard and his
commitment to improving Australia's
relationship with Indonesia.
He says, 'International and regional cooperation is vital'. Minister
Ruddock comments on the Labor policy saying that it mainly recycles
old policies but of the positive 'initiatives' 'all have already
been implemented by the Government, or are in the process of being
implemented'. |
Australian
Labor Party, Media Statement, Labor's international strategy
to combat people smuggling 6 September 2001
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 132/2001, 7 September 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 6 September, the Department of Immigration and
Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs launches a Background
paper on unauthorised arrivals strategy. It provides an overview
of policy development during the 1990s, emphasising the Government's
three-pronged approach based on the minimisation of outflows from
countries of origin and from countries of first asylum, practical
cooperation with other countries to disrupt people smugglers and
intercept their clients, and the development of 'reception arrangements'
for unauthorised arrivals, early determination of their status
and the prompt removal of those not in need of protection. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 131/2001, 6 September 2001 |
| 2001 |
Following the 11 September terrorist attack on the
World Trade Centre in New York and on the
Pentagon in Washington DC, Minister Ruddock
urges the Australian community to unite in the face of 'any challenge
posed to its harmonious society'. He says, 'Events such as the
Gulf War and conflicts in the Balkans have shown that those who
are on different sides of a conflict in other parts of the world
can live in peace in the same street in Australia'. He condemns
any attacks on, or vilification of, Australian Muslim and Arabic
communities as 'un-Australian'. Later in the month, more than
$1.5 million in grants for Living in Harmony projects is
announced and includes several projects that work with Muslim
communities and refugee and migrant support organisations to 'promote
harmony and address misconceptions about Islamic culture'. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 155/2001, 12 September 2001 and MPS 168/2001, 28 September
2001 |
| 2001 |
As of 17 September, Cocos Island is included in
the move to excise certain territories from the Australian migration
zone. Prime Minister John Howard announces on 8 September that
the Government would move to excise Christmas Island, Ashmore
Reef and Cartier Reef from the zone. Action to bring the excisions
into effect is contained in the Migration Legislation Amendment
(Excision from Migration Zone) Bill 2001. Removing the territories
from the zone means that it is not possible to apply for a Protection
Visa or Temporary Protection Visa while in those areas. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 160/2001, 17 September 2001 |
| 2001 |
A package of seven Bills designed by the Government
to boost the fight against people smugglers is passed through
the Senate. Minister Ruddock says the new legislation will increase
penalties for people smugglers, introduce a new visa regime and
strengthen deterrence measures for unauthorised arrivals. The
seven Bills are: The Migration Amendment (Excision from Migration
Zone) Bill 2001, The Migration Amendment (Excision from Migration
Zone) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2001, The Border Protection
(Validation and Enforcement Powers) Bill 2001, The Migration Legislation
Amendment (Judicial Review) Bill 1998, The Migration Legislation
Amendment Bill (No 1) 2001, The Migration Legislation Amendment
Bill (No 5) 2001 and The Migration Legislation Amendment Bill
(No 6) 2001. The Border Protection (Validation and Enforcement
Powers) Bill 2001 imposes minimum prison terms for people smugglers
(five years for a first conviction and eight years for a second
conviction) and puts beyond doubt the legality of actions of the
Government taken in relation to the MV Tampa and provides additional
statutory authority for future action in relation to vessels carrying
unauthorised arrivals. The Migration Amendment (Excision from
Migration Zone) Bill 2001 excises certain territories from Australia's
migration zone, including Christmas Island, Ashmore
and Cartier Islands and the Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, with a view
to creating a separate visa application regime to unlawful arrivals
at the excised places. Unauthorised arrivals to those territories
cannot apply for a visa. The Migration Amendment (Excision from
Migration Zone) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2001 allows for
the detention of an unlawful non-citizen in an excised offshore
place, for the transfer of an unlawful non-citizen from Australia
to another country, and prevents such people from taking legal
action against the Government in an Australian court. The Migration
Legislation Amendment Bill (No 6) 2001 allows adverse inferences
to be drawn from an absence of documentation and also defines
certain key terms used by the Federal Court and the Refugee Review
Tribunal in determining refugee status. The Bill narrows the interpretation
given to the definition of 'refugee' (in particular, the elements
of 'persecution', 'membership of a particular social group', and
'particularly serious crime'. The Migration Legislation Amendment
(Judicial Review) Bill 1998 limits the grounds for judicial review
and prohibits class actions in migration litigation. The Migration
Legislation Amendment Bill (No 5) 2001 authorises disclosure of
information relating to travel to and from the migration zone
for migration control purposes by private organisations that provide
travel related services. The aim is to avoid the restrictions
of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. The Bills
are passed. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 164/2001, 26 September 2001 and MPS 161/2001, 17 September
2001
Also:
Various Bills Digests prepared by specialists in the Parliamentary
Library's Law and Bills Digest Group:
Nathan Hancock, Dy Spooner, Natasha Cica, Katrine Del Villar,
Kirsty Magarey and Krysti Guest. |
| 2001 |
New reception centres are required on Christmas Island for
unauthorised arrivals, who are currently received in tents on
the shores of Flying Fish Cove. The Federal Government erects
demountable buildings to replace the tents and promises a new
sports hall, for completion by mid-2002, for use as a reception
centre for future unauthorised arrivals. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
MPS 162/2001, 23 September 2001
Joint
Statement with Minister for Regional Services, Territories and
Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald. |
| 2001 |
On 16 October, as part of the Federal Election campaign,
the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kim Beazley, issues a statement
outlining the Australian Labor Party's policies on people smugglers
and border protection. The policy promises to establish a Coast
Guard that will 'be on the beat every day of the year' and to
develop a comprehensive bilateral agreement with the Indonesian
Government on people smuggling. Beazley claims credit for bringing
about improvements to the Border Protection (Validation and Enforcement
Powers) Bill 2001, which is passed into law in September. He says:
The new Bill contained specific provisions to authorise
the action that was taken with respect to the Tampa,
as called for by Labor. Rather than setting aside all other laws,
the new Bill built on the existing well-established legal framework
for the treatment of vessels The new Bill contained a specific
provision that people could only be returned to a ship if it was
safe to do so And the new Bill preserved the power of the High
Court to review government action, as required by our Constitution. |
K.
Beazley, Leader of the Opposition, ALP News Statement, Combating
people smugglers and strengthening Australia's border protection,
16 October 2001 |
| 2001 |
During the Federal Election campaign, Opposition Leader
Kim Beazley says the Labor Party supports 'what John Howard's
doing but we've got to have more than what John Howard's doing'.
On people smugglers, he says: 'The people who are responsible
for this horror are the criminals who organise the trade And
we've supported every measure, in terms of dealing with the protection
of our borders, against what these people are up toevery measure
that Howard's put in place, but it's not enough'. |
Kim
Beazley, Doorstop interview with Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister
for Regional Development, Transport and Infrastructure, Regional
Services and Population, Transcript, Gladstone, Queensland,
23 October 2001 |
| 2002 |
On 10 November, the Federal Election returns the Coalition
with an increased majority. The Federal Government's actions against
the Tampa
at the end of August and the legislative package in September
that became known as 'the Pacific Solution' are factors in the
election campaign, though analysts differ as to the extent to
which they influence the final outcome. |
|
| 2001 |
Detainees at Woomera attempt to set alight three female
ablutions but the fire is brought under control by centre staff
with the assistance of some detainees. 'Acts of vandalism' have
damaged other ablutions as well as recreation rooms, and a kindergarten.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Australasian
Correctional Management continue to liaise with the Detainee Representative
Committee 'to convince them that these actions will not influence
the outcomes of their applications for Protection Visas in Australia'.
|
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Media Release,
DPS 48/2001, 24 November 2001 |
| 2001 |
On 26 November, Indigenous Affairs is added to the
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' portfolio. Philip Ruddock
is the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous
Affairs. |
|
| 2001 |
Two buildingsa laundry and an ablution blockat Woomera
detention centre are destroyed by fires deliberately lit by detainees.
|
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, DPS 54/2001, 7 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
Minister Ruddock visits the United Kingdom
and Spain
for talks with Government representatives on the issue of border
arrivals, asylum seekers, and other migration-related topics.
He also attends the Ministerial Council of the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees in Geneva to mark the 50th
anniversary of the Refugees Convention and for discussions on
the future direction of the UNHCR. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, MPS 191/2001, 7 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
Thirteen buildings, including three new accommodation
facilities, a mess and a computing facility, at Woomera detention
centre are damaged or destroyed during the night of 17 December
as part of 'a deliberate criminal campaign by detainees'. The
fires are part of protests by detainees who chant the word 'visa'
during their demonstrations. Detainees stop staff and firemen
from extinguishing the fires by throwing rocks and furniture at
them. This is the seventh fire-related incident at Woomera since
20 November. There are 949 detainees at Woomera. Nineteen are
women and children housed in the Woomera Residential Housing Project.
|
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, DPS 58/2001, 18 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
In light of recent violent protests at Woomera detention
centre, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous
Affairs points out that an Imam recently visited the centre at
the request of the management and of the Department to consult
with detainees about any problems. The response in all instances
is that 'there were no issues with conditions'. The protests are
all about visas, according to the Imam. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, DPS 58/2001, 18 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
Six officers at Woomera detention centre are injured
during continuing arson and violence on the part of about 300
detainees. Tear gas and water cannon are used after the detainees
breach an internal security fence. Fires lit by the detainees
damage eight buildings, bringing to 21 the number damaged or destroyed
in the past two days. The damages bill is around $2 million. A
spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural
and Indigenous Affairs says, 'This deliberate criminal activity
will not force the Government to expedite or influence the visa
granting process. If those responsible for this criminal damage
can be identified and prosecuted it will have a direct impact
on any visa application'. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, DPS 59/2001, 19 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
Disturbances continue at Woomera detention centre
and water cannon is again used. A total of 21 staff have been
injured since the violent protests commenced on 17 December. However,
many of the detainees are withdrawing from the protests, which
are maintained by a small core group of around 45. |
Department
of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, DPS 61/2001, 20 December 2001 |
| 2001 |
In December, an Indonesian vessel carrying about 160
people suspected of attempting to illegally enter Australia
is escorted back toward Indonesian waters, at a point north of
the Ashmore Islands, by an Australian
Navy vessel. It is the fourth vessel that the Navy has escorted
back toward Indonesian waters. |
Minister
for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Media
Release, MPS 193/2001, 21 December 2001 |
