Australia: Demands grow for closure of Villawood detention centre

In its report, HREOC repeated its previous demands for the repeal of Australia’s mandatory detention policy and called for refugees and asylum seekers to be released and allowed to live in alternative community accommodation or issued with bridging visas.

The report stated: “While detention may be acceptable for a short period in order to conduct security, identity and health checks, currently mandatory detention laws require detention for more than these purposes, for unlimited periods of time and in the absence of independent review of the need to detain” [Emphasis in report].

Australia is the only country in the world that detains all people entering or remaining within its borders without a valid visa. The policy was introduced by the Keating Labor government in 1992, with amending legislation in 1994 allowing for indefinite detention.