Human Rights

A sound to be published report shows that during the period of 2005 to 2006 the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre was responsible for providing medical care to 93% of all community based asylum seekers.  An extraodinary achievement given our health service recieves no government funding.  This in addition to last year successfully lobbying the State Government to provide asylum seekers with no medicare or income with the right to access the public health system for free.

 If the latest report from the Ombudsman’s Office showing that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) wrongfully detained 247 Australian’s is not enough for a Royal Commission to finally be called, I don’t know what ever will be.  When DIAC’s management culture is one of apathy, indifference, neglect and a total disregard for human rights, the only thing that changes such a culture is when there is accountability and consequences for the wrong done.  DIAC spins a mythology in its press releases of a new culture one that cares, funny then how this government has held no one personally responsible for the suffering of these 247 people and never will.  Unnoticed also goes the continued suffering of people seeking asylum in detention driven to despair and for those on bridging visas in the community that force them into a life of destitution because they continue to not be allowed to work or have an income or health care, punished simply for seeking their freedom.