IEU - End Mandatory Detention: Preamble

Despite only receiving a tiny proportion of the world's refugees, 9,450 asylum applicants in 1999, compared to 95,110 applicants in Germany, Australia reacted with disproportionate zeal to a perceived threat of being overwhelmed by 'floods' of foreigners brought in through illegal people trafficking and smuggling.

The rhetoric surrounding the recent changes in policy reflects a ?mean-spirited' approach which has been used to justify denying refugees basic rights such as family reunion and the possibility of permanent residency. It has also exacerbated community concerns and fears about foreigners, threatening to undermine Australia's commitment to multiculturalism, inflaming racial prejudice and dividing Australian communities.

Serious doubts have been raised over the sustainability and effectiveness of what has become one of the most expensive and draconian refugee policies in the Western world. Barely a week has gone by in the past year when Australia's detention centres have not made the news. A series of accusations of harsh treatment, coinciding with hunger-strikes, escapes, riots and acts of self harm by asylum seekers have resulted in constant media attention, exacerbated by claims of government censorship.

The sense of crisis has been further inflamed by Australia's handling of the Tampa issue. The so-called ?Pacific Solution' has led to more front-page news stories as the Government struggles to place the continuing flow of boat people in poorer Pacific nations, away from the gaze of the Australian media. The Pacific Solution has added enormously (and it seems exponentially) to the costs. A range of alternatives to mandatory detention in use overseas has been shown to be significantly less expensive, and far more humane, than Australia's current privatised system.

Despite Australia's commitment to deterrence, the flow of boats has continued. A comprehensive review of refugee and asylum seeker policy is imperative in order to address a system that is crisis-prone, expensive and clearly ineffectual.