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Additional Comments
Senator Hanson-Young
Introduction
1.1
On December 15 2010, a terrible tragedy occurred off the coast of
Christmas Island, which saw more than 50 asylum seekers lose their lives.
1.2
This tragic loss of life is a stark reminder of the desperation of
vulnerable asylum seekers who are trying to reach protection for themselves and
their families.
1.3
The Australian Greens wish to acknowledge the bravery and courage of all
the service personnel, and the local Christmas Island community involved in
undertaking this rescue operation.
Surveillance and monitoring of SIEVs
1.4
During the course of the inquiry, it became evident that the current
surveillance and monitoring protocols for detecting and intercepting Suspected
Illegal Entry Vessels (SIEVs) is not fool proof. Questions were raised within
many submissions about the ability for technology to work effectively in severe
weather conditions, and the resourcing of the various levels of surveillance
currently in operation.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that as matter of urgency an
independent review into Australia’s border protection surveillance is
established.
Christmas Island Community
1.5
Despite spending millions of dollars establishing the Immigration
Detention Centre on Christmas Island, no additional resources have been
provided to assist the community with dealing with an increased population, or
potential emergency situations. It became clear during the committee’s
hearings on the Island, that due to the lack of emergency personnel, community
volunteers were required to assist in the rescue operation, and in the
aftermath of the tragedy, with limited resources at their disposal.
1.6
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that Commonwealth funding be
directed to establish a full-time emergency services volunteer coordinator on Christmas Island.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that a permanent mental health
team, funded through the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development
and Local Government, is established on Christmas Island, as part of the
Christmas Island health service, to provide services for all members of the
community.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that the Department of Regional
Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, implement all
recommendations from the Christmas Island emergency management report.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens further recommend that the Department of
Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, conduct an infrastructure
audit on the standards and conditions of facilities on Christmas Island.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
1.7
In the aftermath of the tragedy, debate was focussed on the decision not
to transfer all survivors to the mainland. While there were differing
assessments from mental health professionals, both on and off Christmas Island,
the Australian Greens are of the view that all survivors should have been
immediately transferred to the mainland, ensuring appropriate support was
easily accessible.
1.8
Evidence from key health professionals, such as Professor Louise Newman,
at the time of the tragedy, suggest that detaining survivors in a remote
location for weeks before transferring them to the mainland would have impacted
on their ability to recover from such a traumatic experience.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that as a matter of urgency, a
review into the protocols by which decisions are made to transfer asylum
seekers with special needs to the mainland, is established.
Recommendation
The Australian Greens recommend that the role of community liaison
officer, funded through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, continue
to be funded.
Senator Sarah
Hanson-Young
Australian Greens
Spokesperson on Immigration
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