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As a Senate Committee hears evidence on Minister Dutton's push for more powers in immigration detention, it is worth looking at just how inappropriate these proposed powers are.
A short thread
1/11
A short thread
1/11
The powers are incredibly broad.


Minister Dutton could ban essentially anything he wants using very broad criteria.


Detention centre staff can then search anyone - including strip searches - anytime for these items. 

2/11


Minister Dutton could ban essentially anything he wants using very broad criteria.


Detention centre staff can then search anyone - including strip searches - anytime for these items. 

2/11
Detention centre staff don't even need to think the person actually has the item.
Staff can also choose any third person without limitation and give them the power to search a detention centre with them.
3/11
Staff can also choose any third person without limitation and give them the power to search a detention centre with them.
3/11
These powers are unnecessary.
Detention centre staff already have the power to search for and confiscate dangerous items and items that could help an escape.
If staff think there is criminal activity, they can call the police who can investigate and take action
4/11
Detention centre staff already have the power to search for and confiscate dangerous items and items that could help an escape.
If staff think there is criminal activity, they can call the police who can investigate and take action
4/11
The Government is trying to give detention staff greater powers than police have.


There is no requirement that the item be dangerous/illegal. Dutton could ban pens and paper.


There is no requirement there be a reasonable suspicion the person has the item
5/11


There is no requirement that the item be dangerous/illegal. Dutton could ban pens and paper.


There is no requirement there be a reasonable suspicion the person has the item
5/11
This Bill is really an attempt by Minister Dutton to ban mobile phones in immigration detention.
Why? Because without them, the public would not see things like Farhad Bandesh speaking out for people held in these centres
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2825678804384453
6/11
Why? Because without them, the public would not see things like Farhad Bandesh speaking out for people held in these centres
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2825678804384453
6/11
Banning mobile phones cuts a vital lifeline people have to their friends and loved ones. 


Read this great piece by @HannahD15 to hear directly from people in these centres about the harm this would cause
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahryan/refugees-phones-australia-whatsapp-interview
7/11
Read this great piece by @HannahD15 to hear directly from people in these centres about the harm this would cause
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahryan/refugees-phones-australia-whatsapp-interview
7/11
The Government's argument is essentially:
- it won't apply the powers specifically written to allow blanket bans, to apply blanket bans;
and
- it is too hard to call the police if they need to, so staff should have unchecked powers
8/11
- it won't apply the powers specifically written to allow blanket bans, to apply blanket bans;
and
- it is too hard to call the police if they need to, so staff should have unchecked powers
8/11
This isn't good enough.
Under our constitution, immigration detention can't be punishment. It is only a place to hold people while they are waiting to leave Australia or be granted a visa.
The Government cannot be allowed to turn these places into prison black holes.
9/11
Under our constitution, immigration detention can't be punishment. It is only a place to hold people while they are waiting to leave Australia or be granted a visa.
The Government cannot be allowed to turn these places into prison black holes.
9/11
Our immigration detention system is broken.
Countries like Canada hold people for two weeks or less.
Our Government is holding people for years on end, in increasingly harsh conditions.
We need more accountability in this system, not less.
10/11
Countries like Canada hold people for two weeks or less.
Our Government is holding people for years on end, in increasingly harsh conditions.
We need more accountability in this system, not less.
10/11
Parliament must see this Bill for what it is - a harmful expansion of powers and an attack on transparency - and reject it.
You can read our full submission to the Senate Committee here: https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/dutton-attempt-to-avoid-oversight-in-detention-must-be-rejected
11/11
You can read our full submission to the Senate Committee here: https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/dutton-attempt-to-avoid-oversight-in-detention-must-be-rejected
11/11
