Paul - you quote some interesting figures which seem to be
right from the mouth of Scott Morrison but not from any authoritative source
that I can find. Here’s some current stats on those in detention - In
April 2012, the DIAC website states that there were 4329 people in immigration
detention facilities and alternative places of detention, including 3528 in
immigration detention on the mainland and 801 in immigration detention on
Christmas Island. The DIAC website goes on to state that at 30 April 2012,
there were 463 children (aged under 18 years) in immigration detention
facilities and alternative places of detention. The majority of children in
facilities-based detention have been in detention for less than three months.
The site states that no children are detained in an immigration detention
centre.
1638 people have been approved for a residence determination
to live in the community, (DIAC website) but movement of these approved people
into the community has been very slow. 3000 people in generous Australian
families registered under the Government’s Homestay Program in May 2012. The
first 50 refugees to be placed under that program were moved into Australian
homes on the 7th June 2012 (Daily Telegraph 8.6.12).Now I don’t have access to
budget papers as you seem to do but all of this is downscaling cost in line
with Australia's international human rights obligations, a matter that you did
not once mention in your article.
At the same time as the Federal Government committed to
moving more refugees and asylum seekers out of detention centres, they also
decided in April 2012 to reduce payments to people living in community
detention from 89% of the lowest Centrelink Payment, to 70% of the lowest Centrelink
payment. This will present a challenge to families who have exited detention
with their children. In practical terms this will leave a mother and child with
around $300 per week with no concessions, to feed and clothe themselves, pay
gas, water, electricity and catch public transport to appointments ( Asylum
Seeker Resource Centre Email 12.4.12).
What is the current population of Australia Paul.
22,328,800. Google it. So that makes the people currently in detention
.01% of the Australian population. All your fuss for such a tiny proportion of
the population! And of the new arrivals , take note that DIAC also tells us
that between 2 and 4% of refugees coming to Australia come by boat, each year.
The rest arrive by plane. Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison blather on about
turning the boats around because they know that this rings bells in the minds
of the poorly informed in marginal seats. But they also know that this could
cause more drownings and put the lives of service personnel at risk. You seem
to have forgotten the revolt by navy service personnel during the Howard
Government, revolted by what they were being asked to do.
Wayne Swan was right. Just about all of the people on Nauru
were recognised as refugees and came to Australia, some with their mental
health damaged for life. But don't let the facts stand in the way of a good
story, or your apology for Abbott and Morrison's rampant populism.
Jenny Haines
