Australian immigration removes detention debt
September 11 2009 by Matt Jones
Branson welcomes Australian immigration change
In a recent bill which has been approved, refugees who pass through Australian immigration will no longer be subject to the 45 day rule or paying detention debt.
Asylum seekers that made the move to Australia have been living in poverty due to restrictions that prevent them from finding work for 45 days. They have also been charged to pay detention debt, where they have to pay back the money that it cost to support them in immigration detention. Both of these have recently been abolished on a Human Rights basis.
The opposition put forward a motion to have the changes declined but their motion was defeated yesterday. The removal of detention debt will apply for all held in detention apart from people smugglers and illegal foreign fishers.
Catherine Branson, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Commissioner said: “Australia was the only country in the world to utilise this measure.”
Branson went on to say: “People could be waiting months for the outcomes of their claims, but without the ability to support themselves. Some people (including families with children) have been entirely dependent on community services for their basic survival. Hopefully these changes can help them to be better prepared, both financially and psychologically, for the outcomes of their cases.”
This falls in line with Australia’s commitment to help refugees.
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