Allegations of abuse and self-harm in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres will be the subject of a senate inquiry after a motion was passed in the Upper House today.
Labor and the Greens co-sponsored the motion, which was passed 35 to 27 with the help of crossbench senators Nick Xenophon, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, Derryn Hinch and Jacqui Lambie.
The move comes after thousands of leaked files alleging abuse of children and adults in Nauru’s processing centre were published last month.
The more than 2,000 incident reports published by The Guardian outlined various allegations of abuse, including assaults, sexual assaults and self-harm between 2013 and 2015.
The Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry will examine “serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers” at both the Nauru and Manus Island regional processing centres, including the obligations of the Australian Government and contractors.
It will also examine attempts by the Commonwealth Government to negotiate third-country resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees.
Shadow immigration minister Shayne Neumann said Parliament had “a responsibility to investigate serious claims about any mistreatment of asylum seekers in offshore processing centres”.
In a joint statement with Senator Murray Watt, Mr Neumann emphasised the potential role of an independent children’s advocate.
“Unaccompanied minors are some of the most vulnerable asylum seekers,” he said.
“The inquiry will be asked to specifically give consideration to the role an independent children’s advocate could play in protecting the rights and interests of unaccompanied minors.”
Top Comments
I agree that these allegations should be fully investigated and where there is sufficient evidence of a crime, those responsible charged. If that includes some asylum seekers and they are found guilty of assault or sexual assault they should never be able to freely walk our streets, unless someone has a compelling argument as to why we need to import rapists and child molesters?
Disgusting, vile, evil. There are no appropriate words to describe the harm inflicted. We need this to be transparent and find out who is allowing this and get them out of positions of power.
Should we punish the actual perps as well, or is this really a pretext after all?
We know at least 1200 are dead on the high seas, encouraged by some of the same pollies wanting this enquiry. Shouldn't they be removed from positions of power as well? 1200.