Workable, decent, affordable
Could Australia develop a refugee policy that is all of the above? Yes, argues Frank Brennan, and it might even become exemplary. (extract)
' For government, Woomera's
deterrent value is enormous. There is no other policy reason for keeping
it open, certainly no sensible financial rationale. It is far removed
from state services such as children's services and police. It is too
isolated a place to enable public servants and tribunals to process claims
for refugee status comfortably and efficiently. The Department of Immigration
and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs sees an ongoing use for Woomera
because it ensures that ';we have a network of centres in order to best
manage the diversity of the detainee caseload. Retaining the Woomera IRPC
[Immigration Reception and Processing Centre] also makes possible the
operation of the alternative housing project for women and children in
the Woomera township.'
Woomera's main purpose now is to emit a double signal—to would-be
asylum seekers and to fear-filled voters. Dispersing the 180 Woomera detainees
to other places would deprive government of a crucial transmitter.
The government justifies detention in part because it helps with the processing
of claims. Detention in an accessible place and in a more work-friendly
environment might help with processing. The current detention regime,
however, contributes to and helps disguise the uneven performance of our
decision-makers, especially when it relates to Iraqis and Afghans. '
Frank Brennan SJ is Associate Director of Uniya, the Jesuit Social
Justice Centre.
For the full article by Frank Brennan, see Eureka Street September 2002 print edition. For the unedited text of Frank Brennan's full speech, visit the University of Sydney website.
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