Towards humanity and decency.

In June 2008, the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration established an Inquiry into Immigration Detention in Australia. PIAC’s Submission to the Inquiry addresses the Terms of Reference relating to criteria for detention and length of time in detention; options to expand the transparency and visibility of immigration detention centres and options for the provision of detention services and detention health services across the range of detention facilities. PIAC’s submission examines the problematic history of the privatisation of immigration detention in Australia, including the track record of the current provider, Global Solutions Limited (Australia) Pty Ltd (“GSL”). PIAC argues that fundamental reforms are required to the immigration detention system in order to ensure humanity and decency in that system. These reforms include strict time-limits to detention; the abolition of offshore processing; an end to the current practice of privatisation of immigration detention services; the establishment of a statute-based, independent regulator for immigration detention and the codification of detainee’s rights.