Fed: Bartlett disappointed by ruling on detention of children

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2004
Fed: Bartlett disappointed by ruling on detention of children

CANBERRA, April 29 AAP - A High Court decision showed the Immigration Department had
the power to carry out institutionalised child abuse, the Australian Democrats said today.

The High Court today overruled a decision by the Family Court to order the release
of five children from an immigration detention centre.

The siblings, aged between seven and 15 who cannot be named, were freed from South
Australia's Baxter detention centre in August last year and are now living in Adelaide.

Democrats Leader Andrew Bartlett urged the government not to return the children to detention.

"Obviously, the court's there to interpret the law, but what it does is show the immigration
department has the power under law to basically continue with its institutionalised child
abuse," he told reporters.

"The evidence is absolutely crystal clear that detention of children is immensely damaging
to them and that is clearly the evidence in relation to the children involved in this
case.

Senator Bartlett said the South Australian government should examine what options it
had under state child protection laws to ensure the welfare of the children was looked
after.

"I don't believe that the immigration department, or the immigration minister, is the
best person to judge the welfare of children," he said.

AAP pj/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: DETENTION DEMOCRATS

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.