5th Feb 2009, 11:03 AM – Senate Motions - Immigration Detention - Labor's 'New Directions'

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. This means that the motion was rejected.

The motion as amended was:

(a) notes: (i) the release in January 2009, of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2008 Immigration detention report, and (ii) this report highlights, among other things, that asylum seekers, including children, are able to still be held indefinitely, despite assurances by the Rudd Government that detention is only being used as a last resort, and for the shortest possible time; (b) recognises that the lack of available merits and judicial review for people detained in immigration detention has resulted in people being held wrongfully, unlawfully and for a period of years; and (c) calls on the Government to translate its ‘new directions’ for Australia’s immigration detention system into policy, practice and legislative change as soon as possible.

Background to the motion

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans announced the Labor Government's 'new directions' policy in a speech on 29 July 2008 to the Centre for International and Public Law at the Australian National University. Under this new policy, detaining people should be as a "last resort" rather than as standard practice. However, offshore processing at Christmas Island would continue as it "will signal that the Australian Government maintains a very strong anti peoplesmuggling stance" (see Senator Evans full speech here).