15 April 2010.
Rev Dr Gordon Moyes has expressed his serious concerns relating to the announcement of the Federal Government that the processing of new Sri Lankan and Afghani asylum seekers will be suspended, effective immediately.
Dr Gordon Moyes, a Parliamentary Leader of Family First NSW, is concerned that the suspension of processing could lead to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers, including families and children who are already in distress and under vulnerable conditions.
“This policy shift takes us at a dangerous path and one that is in complete violation of Australia’s obligations under international law in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We have seen hundreds of people in prolonged detention suffering from poor mental health. Indefinite detention has dire consequences for a child’s physical and mental wellbeing. While in detention, children see attempted suicides, self-harm and abuse”, said Dr Moyes.
According to Australian Human Rights Commission President, Cathy Branson QC, detainees cannot get adequate access to crucial support services such as legal advice, health and mental health care, and religious support, and that staff and detainees are already under significant strain.
Ms Branson said, “We also hold particular concerns about the impact of this change on families with children and unaccompanied minors. There are already significant numbers of children in immigration detention on Christmas Island. The suspension in processing will mean that any new families or unaccompanied minors arriving could be subjected to prolonged periods in detention.”
Although Dr Moyes has acknowledged community concerns about the recent arrival of asylum seekers by boat, he has reminded both the Federal Government and the Opposition to take a more humane approach. He stated, “Family First supports a strong system of border protection. But it has to be a fair system that treats asylum seekers humanely.”
“Family First supports providing additional resources to ensure detention time are kept to an absolute minimum. Asylum seekers should then be transferred to low security facilities that are more like a home than a prison until their claims can be fully processed. We believe the claims assessment process should be reformed to ensure fast and fair processing of asylum seekers to promptly determine the substance of their claims for refugee status”, Dr Moyes concluded. END.