Doctor urges mandatory detention inquiry

Doctor urges mandatory detention inquiry...

A psychiatrist who has treated immigration detainees says former government ministers should be called to account for the policy of mandatory detention.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans says mandatory detention will stay but with new rules.

Dr Jon Jureidini, of Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, treated detainees over many years from the now-closed Baxter detention centre in South Australia.

He says former prime minister John Howard and former immigration minister Philip Ruddock should face a public inquiry about mandatory detention and the psychological harm it caused.

"The Howard government under Ruddock immigration administration knowingly locked up children for extended periods," he said.

"And they were quite clearly told by many people that this was very seriously damaging the people that were being locked up.

"What needs to happen is that the people who've done the damage need to take responsibility for what they've done."

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Mandatory detention changes

The majority of asylum seekers will no longer be detained under major immigration reforms announced by Immigration Minister Chris Evans.

The Government will not completely scrap mandatory detention but Senator Evans says the Department of Immigration will have to justify why a person should be detained.

"A person who poses no danger to the community will be able to remain in the community while their visa status is resolved," Senator Evans said.

Mandatory detention will now apply to three groups that the Minister says pose a risk to the wider community, such as those who have repeatedly breached their visa conditions.

"Once in detention a detainee's case will be reviewed every three months to ensure that the further detention of the individual is justified," Senator Evans said.

Children will also no longer be detained.

Asylum seekers who arrive at Christmas Island will still also be detained for health and security checks and will also continue to be processed at Christmas Island. However, they will now have access to legal assistance.

At present, 385 people are held in immigration detention. Of those, 64 are seeking asylum or waiting for a result from an application for a protection visa.

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