[Greens-Media] DIMIA knew Rau was mentally ill

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

13.03.05

DIMIA knew Rau was mentally ill

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on Immigration Minister Amanda
Vanstone to explain why when her department knew Cornelia Rau was
mentally ill they neither questioned her story that she was a tourist
nor gave her proper medical attention.

"The Sunday programme today revealed that the assessment Cornelia Rau
received in Brisbane was that she was mentally ill, not mentally ill
enough to be admitted against her will but she was mentally ill, unlike
the Minister's claim," Senator Nettle said.

"The programme also revealed that the psychiatrist who examined Cornelia
Rau when she was in Baxter Detention Facility thought she could be
schizophrenic and the 'only way' she could be properly assessed was in
hospital.

"The Minister needs to explain why her department continued to believe
Ms Rau's story about being a German tourist when she had a clear
Australian accent and was found to be mentally ill.

"The Sunday programme's revelations raised more questions about the
operations of the Department of Immigration. They add to the growing
picture of a department out of control that does not provide appropriate
care or thorough processes and whose actions are harming and punishing
those in its care.

"The Minister must answer these questions rather than hide behind her
private inquiry that she has not committed to appear before and that has
no power to compel her to appear.

"This is why a judicial inquiry is needed into the Minister and
Department of Immigration's actions re Cornelia Rau and other
detainees."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146