To get maximum benefit from my website Register now. Select the topics which interest you.
The report released last night by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration calls for a series of open and transparent guidelines against which detainees and the Australian public can judge the fairness and rationality of the detention system.
It recommends a maximum time limit of 12 months detention for all detainees, except those considered a significant and ongoing risk to the community.
In preparing its report, the Committee visited all of Australia's detention centres. "We also spoke to former and current detainees during our consideration of how long it is reasonable to hold a person in detention, and what criteria should apply for their release", said Committee Chair Michael Danby.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced reforms in July that unauthorised arrivals will only be held in detention until health, security and identity checks have been completed. Beyond this, mandatory detention will continue to apply only to those people that present an unacceptable risk to the community and to unlawful non-citizens who have repeatedly refused to comply with their visa conditions.
M Danby said that the Committee's report was supportive of a presumption against detention and the use of immigration detention only where necessary to safeguard public health, security and immigration compliance.
"We have heard a range of views on what a contemporary Australian immigration policy should look like," said Mr Danby, "and what is clear is that the impacts of prolonged immigration detention and failures in administration have been too high".
Migration Committee Chair Michael Danby MP and Deputy Chair Dana Vale at the Media Conference for the Report
"The series of recommendations we have made will build on the new immigration detention values and strike a fair balance between protection of the Australian community and our obligations towards those in immigration detention."
"Our inquiry has been committed to restoring both fairness and certainty to our treatment of those in immigration detention."
The report tackles the uncertainties of indefinite detention and recommends the following time frames for detaining individuals:
The report also recommends additional measures to increase oversight and transparency, such as:
In addition, the report provides some remedy to past practices of prolonged detention with little scope for review by recommending that:
The report also recommends that people in immigration detention no longer be charged for the costs of their detention, and that all existing debts be waived immediately.
"The Committee found this policy harsh and without a reasonable rationale", said Deputy Chair Danna Vale. Immigration detainees are currently generating liabilities of $125.40 per day, with some debts running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A dissenting report was submitted by Petro Georgiou (LIB), Senator Alan Eggleston (LIB) and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens), calling for broader access to judicial review of detention.
The report will be the first in a series of three, with the remaining two to be tabled in 2009. They will address alternatives to detention, service provision and the infrastructure necessary to support a new framework for immigration detention.
As at 7 November 2008, there were 279 people in immigration detention nationwide, the majority of them people who had overstayed their visas or had their visas cancelled after breaching the conditions.
Web Site Design by Dror Poleg www.drorism.com
© Content Copyright 2010 Michael Danby
Powered by 
There was a favourable election report on the Melbourne Ports Victory in the Melbourne Weekly. Click here
Look who is suppporting Michael Danby on August 21. Click here
The Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor today announced that, if re-elected, a Gillard Government will extend the highly successful Secure Schools Program, which has already improved security at 54 schools across Australia. Click here Michael Danby calls for Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports to disassociate himself from fake Danby website. Click here Emerald Hill Weekly interviews Michael Danby on rise La Gillarde. Click Here
So, what is Australia's National Broadband Network? Why is it so important and what will it mean for every Australian? Click here
Federal Labor's School Building Program saw the culmination of nearly a decades hard work by Galilee Primary School principal, Frank Cervillo with the opening of the schools multi-purpose hall, replacing a derelict under croft. Michael Danby representing Education Minister Julia Gillard said with the addition to the school precinct, Father Bob McGuire, Father David Hoffman, the local Catholic community and the Catholic Education office now saw Galilee and an adornment to the Catholic Education system. Click here.
Before Australia's Parliament leglislates autonomous sactions against Iran, Australia welcomed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 imposing new sanctions against Iran, adopted overnight in New York. Click here
Danby examines how the Federal Labor Government is addressing Public Housing in Melbourne Ports. Click here
Broadcaster and eminent theatrical producer John Michael Howson writes to Michael Danby on Passports Affair. Click here
Michael Danby, has welcomed the Treasurer's 2010 Federal Budget which is economically responsible and provides relief for the people of Melbourne Ports experiencing cost of living pressures, while also affording additional incentives for saving. Click here
New Salvation Army Crisis Accommodation Centre opened by Michael Danby and Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek. Click here
Malaysian Militant attacks Danby in Malaysian Parliament, Click here
Michael Danby, argued not to accept the Stern Hu bribery conviction, as it may have been given under duress Click here
Michael expressed his doubts about the fairness of Chinese legal system and its dealing with the Australian citizen Stern Hu. Follow the link to see Michael Danby on Bloomberg TV's 'The Trade', speaking on Stern Hu Click here
Michael Danby criticised Tony Abbott's undignified jibes in front of Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Click here
Michael Danby welcomed the resumption of Middle East Peace Talks and pointed to generous offers made to the Palestinians by previous Israeli leader Ehud Olmert-see map, click here
More than 400 people attended a function at the St Kilda Town Hall on February 15 to pay tribute to Danby's work in the electorate for more than 11 years. Click here
Over 60 Australian Mp's and Senators signed a letter to the Malaysian Government asking to drop the charges against Anwar Ibrahim. Click here
Michael Danby says the ABC wont kow-tow to the Chinese communist party, click here.
Click here to read Laurie Oakes's overview of proposals that would cost the taxpayer $500 million dollars to finance political parties, published in The Herald Sun on the 19th of December, 2009.
Click here to read the speech delivered by Governor-General Bryce on Sir Zelman Cowen's 90th Birthday.
Julie Bishop makes a desperate and out of context attack on Michael Danby. Click here
Michael Danby has called the Liberal Party's recent outburst on Border Security nonsense. Follow the link to see Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans, discuss the recent influx of asylum seekers on Lateline (October 14), click here, or more recently the Minister's interview on the 7.30 Report on the 21st of October. Click here
Michael Danby delivered a detailed speech on New Matilda and Crikey.com declaring them the ‘dark and ugly recesses of the internet' . Mr Danby called on Crikey owner Eric Beecher to explain his publications failure to moderate racist comments. Click here.
Beijing's treatment of minority groups. Says a cover story of the Aust. Jewish News. Click here
An All party delegation to India consisting of 6 mps had their outrage towards the recent attacks on Indian students reported in the Economic Times (of India). Click here
Michael Danby promoted the Harmony Day Walk in the Hindustan Times on the 4th of July Click here and on the same day the Sunday Tribune (of Bangalore) newspaper reported on the delegations outcry at the attacks on Indian Students Click here
25 May 2009: Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Michael Danby, today tabled the 2nd of the Committee's reports into immigration detention. For Michael's tabling speech please click here. Please click here for the media release.
Local area receives Budget millions. Please click here for information on the benefits Melbourne Ports is receiving in the 2009-10 Budget.For a macro explanation of the budget, please see this interview with Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner and this interview with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Local small businesses were winners in this year's budget. There will be an increase and extension of the Small Business and General Business Tax Break. For more information please see these links to Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business Craig Emerson.
Media Release 1 Media Release 2
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd blasted Iran's role in undermining the anti racism essence of last week's UN conference, which had the stated objective of opposing bigotry. Click here
New Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn explained that 1.2 million Australians are not enrolled to vote, to see his dramatic opening statement to the Electoral Matters Committee click here.
Chinese Ambassador ticks off Member for Melbourne Ports. Danby welcomes his felicitous response: SMH article, Canberra Times articleForeign Minister defends Danby's appearance at rally click here
Michael Danby today announced that 28 local schools in Melbourne Ports will receive $4 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects under Round One of the National School Pride (NSP) program. Click here
Pauline Hanson drops her bundle appearing on Today Tonight (channel 7) and walks out on an interview over questions about the $200 000 bonus she received, for receiving 4% of the Queensland Senate vote ($2.10 per voter) at the 2007 election click here. To read how Michael Danby exposed her earlier funding rort Click here
The Joint Committee on Migration established a new paradigm for the humane but rational treatment of asylum seekers. Click here.
Clive James, one of Australia's most celebrated expatriates penned the following poem in the Australian Literary Review. September 7 2007
