[Greens-Media] Democrats and ALP join government to oppose public inquiry into Rau case

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

07.03.05

Democrats and ALP join government to oppose public inquiry into Rau case

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today condemned opposition parties for their
refusal to support a Greens motion for a Senate Inquiry into the case of
Cornelia Rau's wrongful and damaging detention at the hands of the
Department of Immigration.

"The government has been let off the hook by the ALP and Democrats
today," Senator Nettle said.

"The government's own internal inquiry is not appropriate way to
scrutinise the government's culpability in this tragic case and the
hundreds of other tragic stories coming out of the detention centres.

"The Senate had already supported the need for a public inquiry into
this matter but when given the chance to do so the ALP and Democrats
have got cold feet.

"The Greens will be reintroducing this motion when the government's own
inquiry has reported and expect fellow opposition parties to support it.

"The Greens motion would have allowed the Senate to inquire into the
policies and practices of the Department of Immigration and their
contractors who are responsible for the incarceration and alleged
mistreatment of detainees, including Ms Rau.

"The admission on Friday night by Andrew Kirk (ex Chief of Staff for
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone) that DIMIA does punish detainees
through the use of solitary confinement and that the department knows
this is illegal gives further proof for the need for an independent,
public inquiry into the Immigration detention system.

"I will be visiting the Baxter Detention Facility again later this month
to further The Greens own inquiries into the government's immigration
detention regime."

Greens Senate Motion considered today: 
That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional
References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 June 2005:
	The detention of Cornelia Rau, with particular reference to; 
		a)	the circumstances, actions and procedures which
resulted in her being detained
		b)	how she remained unidentified during the period
in question
		c)	the adequacy of mental health services provided
to Ms Rau and other detainees
		d)	the conditions in Australia immigration
detention centres and whether they are having a harmful
affect on the mental health of detainees
		e)	the adequacy of legal assistance provided to Ms
Rau and other detainees
		f)	the actions of relevant Ministers 
		g)	and any related matters.
	Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146