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$620,000 compensation paid for unlawful detention
29/05/2008
Australian Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said the Commonwealth could face over $10 million in compensation payments for unlawful immigration detentions after it was revealed at today's Senate estimates that $620,000 was paid to the first eight claimants.
Questions by Senator Nettle at Senate Estimates revealed:
* sent 149 letters notifying people they may have been unlawfully detained;
* sent 54 letters recommending former detainees get legal advice regarding compensation for their detention;
* 27 people have responded so far;
* 19 matters are in negotiation or have been resolved;
* 8 matters have been settled for a total of approximately $620,000;
* Out of 247 cases investigated for unlawful detention, the department estimates it may be liable in 135 cases. Only 35 were resolved as 'not unlawful'.
"The Greens are glad that these people who were unlawfully detained under the mandatory detention system are now being compensated," said Senator Nettle.
"If you extrapolate the $620,000 for 8 cases out to all potential 135 cases identified, the total compensation bill will be over $10 million.
"This confirms that the cruel policy of mandatory detention is a huge waste of money.
"The Rudd government should scrap mandatory detention and deal with immigration matter while people live in the community.
"I'm relieved that the government confirmed today that Cornelia Rau has been paid $2.29 million as compensation for her ordeal in immigration detention," concluded Senator Nettle.
Contact: Jon Edwards 0428 213 146
[via Senator Kerry Nettle Media Release Wednesday 28 May 2008 link]
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