Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Scott Morrison to wind down Manus Island detention centre in favour of Nauru Exclusive Manus Island detention centre Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has ordered that no asylum seekers be sent to Manus Island, instead funnelling them to the small Pacific Island of Nauru. In changes made to the Migration Act on July 15, Mr Morrison revoked the direction to send male asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea's offshore processing centre on Manus Island. In the changes made under subsection 198ad(5) of the Migration Act 1958 ('the act'), obtained by Fairfax Media, Mr Morrison writes it is in the "public interest" to "direct officers to take unauthorised maritime arrivals to the Republic of Nauru." Asylum seeker Reza Barati was killed during a riot in the Manus Island detention centre on February 17. Photo: Kate Geraghty It says the only people who are exempt from the Act are asylum seekers who are flown to Australia for medical reasons. "In this instance I direct officers to take the unauthorised maritime arrival to Papua New Guinea when the person no longer needs to be in Australia for the medical treatment," the statement says. Advertisement Service providers, who have recently returned from working on Manus Island, have told Fairfax Media the Manus Island centre appeared to be "winding down". The running of the Manus Island centre has faced severe criticism when an asylum seeker was killed and scores of others injured during brutal violence in February. It has also experienced significant delays in processing asylum seekers. Unlike the 179 asylum seekers who have been now settled on Nauru, not one asylum seeker has yet been resettled in Papua New Guinea. Click for more photos [h=4]Manus Island riot[/h] A still from a video shows guards attacking detainees at the Manus Island compound. Photo: Supplied It comes more than three months after Tony Abbott said asylum seekers would begin to be resettled in Papua New Guinea, although the PNG government is still to decide on a resettlement policy. Although more than half of those whose refugee claims have been processed on Manus Island have been given "interim" positive decisions, none can be afforded refugee status until the PNG government agrees on a policy. Despair at the lack of progress is cited for high levels of self-harm within the detention centre and for the increasing numbers of asylum seekers opting to return to their country of origin. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison Photo: Wolter Peeters When contacted by Fairfax Media a spokesperson for Mr Morrison said: "The government's success to date in preventing illegal boat arrivals has produced an obvious decline in the need for transfers to offshore processing centres. "No boats successfully arriving means there is less people required to be transferred. "It is government policy for illegal maritime arrivals to be transferred for offshore processing to Manus Island or Nauru. The necessary instruments to implement that policy are put in place as necessary." According to monthly figures released yesterday by Australian Customs, there are 1084 asylum seekers currently being held on Manus Island. Do you know more? Email swhyte@fairfaxmedia.com.au Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-to-wind-down-manus-island-detention-centre-in-favour-of-nauru-20140902-10bcoz.html#ixzz3CCsilJgx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 whatever the reason, not sending people to Manus must be a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 whatever the reason, not sending people to Manus must be a good thing. I agree up to a point, but one thing we've learned from a year of this govt is that they don't do 'nice' surprises, particularly where asylum seekers are concerned. I can't help thinking there is something worse in store, around the corner. Perhaps the next announcement will be the unveiling of the 'Cambodia Solution'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 [h=1]Tensions remain high in Manus Island asylum seeker detention centre: report[/h] Leaked intelligence reports reveal increasing self-harm attempts, fights among asylum seekers and use of isolation rooms despite government claims the centre is back to normal • Read one of the leaked reports here Share Tweet this Email Paul Farrell, Nick Evershed and Oliver Laughland theguardian.com, Tuesday 2 September 2014 19.13 AEST Jump to comments (137) Asylum seekers stand behind a fence in Oscar compound at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea. Photograph: Eoin Blackwell/AAP Increased tensions at the Manus Island detention centre arising from self-harm, the use of isolation rooms and factions among the detainee population have been revealed in a batch of intelligence reports seen by Guardian Australia. The reports – dating from 11 July to 9 August 2014 – provide a detailed insight into life in the detention centre following the violent unrest in February which left Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati dead and dozens injured and continue to spark mental health concerns over the 1,127 men detained at the centre. The documents show that despite the federal government’s repeated assurances the Manus Island detention centre is back to normal operations since the unrest, serious incidents continue to occur that raise concerns about asylum seeker safety. The reports reveal an increasingly divided camp – with frequent arguments and fights occurring across the centre between asylum seekers – and growing threats and acts of self-harm. Some of the most serious events from the situation reports are: Multiple self-harm attempts, including an asylum seeker slashing himself across both sides of his scalp and chest with a blade Continuing tensions among the asylum seeker population, leading to a number of fights and assaults between detainees A number of asylum seekers missing meals on a daily basis Curbing asylum seekers’ access to mobile phones The reports were obtained by Humanitarian Research Partners and shared with Guardian Australia. They were filed daily and cover a period of 16 days between 11 July and 9 August. In that time there were 12 “major” incidents, as classified by detention centre managers Transfield, and no “critical” incidents. Self-harm attempts have continued to occur within the Manus centre, with six serious events occurring during the month-long period, including an asylum seeker attempting to hang himself with a wash cloth. A large number of asylum seekers also continued to miss meals, with more than 10 asylum seekers not eating in early August. The reports reveal that detention centre managers are employing the use of an isolation unit named “Chauka” for detainees regarded as troublemakers. One document shows that on Monday 14 July three asylum seekers were moved to Chauka following disputes about internet and phone access. One of the men was described as displaying “abusive and aggressive behaviour” but was then “calmed”. There was no description of the behaviour of the other two men. One was returned to the main population the following day, but the other two remained in Chauka until 18 July. According to the reports, a group of asylum seekers began peaceful protests as a result of the two men’s continued detention in Chauka. But the logs note on 17 July that another “respectful and considered” meeting over phone and internet access took place and “this was certain to be a consequence of the removal to the Chauka compound” of the two men. Guardian Australia has previously reported that both the men detained in Chauka allege they were threatened and assaulted while held in isolation. The immigration minister has refuted the claims. A prominent theme in the incident logs is a number of outbursts and physical altercations between different nationalities at the centre. Multiple altercations between detainees and staff resulted in the detainees being physically restrained and placed into isolation. The 17 July log says there is “tension building” among the Sunni and Shia Iraqi population, and an argument broke out between two Iraqi asylum seekers that drew in several other asylum seekers, leading to punches and chairs being thrown. When two asylum seekers were sent to isolation, other detainees expressed concern the two being held could be attacked if they did not have security escorts. The logs also note increasing tensions at the centre that are attributed to events in Iraq and Syria. They said: “It is certain the deteriorating security situation in Iraq and Syria continues to be a catalyst for some anxiety from some of the transferee population that have ties to those areas.” The reports also continue to raise concerns about the employment of local contractors. In the logs dated from 22 to 23 July, a male local security guard is reported as striking a female guard several times. The log describes it as a “minor assault”. The male guard was “stood down for two weeks and his identification card was removed”. The reintroduction of PNG national catering staff was being carefully monitored following the violent unrest in February. The reports conclude that most asylum seekers were welcoming of the reintroduction, with a minority unhappy with their return. A spokesman for Transfield referred all questions from Guardian Australia to the minister for immigration and border protection’s office. The immigration minister Scott Morrison has not responded to questions. Guardian Australia has previously used freedom of information act requests and data analysis to show the disarray inside the Manus centre. The investigation revealed that significant incidents inside the centre occurred at a rate of two for every three days between March and June 2013. Read one of the leaked security reports here. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/tensions-high-manus-island-asylum-seeker-detention-centre-report?CMP=ema_632 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) One of the reasons for the problems is "fighting amongst factions". They all struggle to get out of a place where they are being persecuted, travel with family in squalor, taking risks to try and get a better life, pay a lot of money on the promise someone is going to take them to Australia, and they can't even let their factionism go for a while, even when they are living with people who presumably are looking for the same as them. A better life. In the meantime Aus is expected to let them in and bring all their problems with them. We already have too many fighting abroad in Syria, Iraq etc. and people already living here who can't get on with each other because their allegiance lies with some faction or other in the place they left. We aren't quite as bad as the UK and their home grown terrorists yet but give it a few years of lax controls and it will be. Maybe Manus Island is closing as there are not as many Asylum seekers making it now and there's no need for the extra room. Don't think it's unravelling at all but instead points to it being quite successful. Another one of the reasons for causing trouble listed Preventing asylum seekers access to mobile phones. wtf, you wouldn't think a mobile phone would be high enough on their priority to cause an issue about it. I suppose without their mobile though, they can't be letting the press know on a daily basis how badly they are being treated. They probably got the Guardian, Sarah Hansen-Young and their lawyers on speed dial. Edited September 3, 2014 by Paul1Perth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Manus Island is likely to be downgraded and finally closed after tremendous cost due to unsuitability. Definitely unravelling. Not a single asylum seeker has been relocated outside the walls within PNG. In that sense they took the money and did not follow through on the agreement. A very expensive operation for taxpayers with poor results. Rather obvious at the time but ideology ruled the day. Nauru on the other hand as settled some 170 on the island, but in great hardship with little prospect off work and putting strain the social fabric of that island with only 10,000 in population. Hopefully a line will be drawn under this sorry episode and Australia accepts those detained and moves onto finding a more durable solution to the question of asylum seekers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Manus Island is likely to be downgraded and finally closed after tremendous cost due to unsuitability. Definitely unravelling. Not a single asylum seeker has been relocated outside the walls within PNG. In that sense they took the money and did not follow through on the agreement. A very expensive operation for taxpayers with poor results. Rather obvious at the time but ideology ruled the day. Nauru on the other hand as settled some 170 on the island, but in great hardship with little prospect off work and putting strain the social fabric of that island with only 10,000 in population. Hopefully a line will be drawn under this sorry episode and Australia accepts those detained and moves onto finding a more durable solution to the question of asylum seekers. I fear that 'more durable solution' will be just another impoverished country with little capacity or ability to deal with settling refugees. It's ridiculous that 170 have been 'settled' in Nauru, by the sound of it in appalling conditions. And yet, Nauru is now the jewel in the crown of Operation Sovereign Borders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Manus Island is likely to be downgraded and finally closed after tremendous cost due to unsuitability. Definitely unravelling. Not a single asylum seeker has been relocated outside the walls within PNG. In that sense they took the money and did not follow through on the agreement. A very expensive operation for taxpayers with poor results. Rather obvious at the time but ideology ruled the day. Nauru on the other hand as settled some 170 on the island, but in great hardship with little prospect off work and putting strain the social fabric of that island with only 10,000 in population. Hopefully a line will be drawn under this sorry episode and Australia accepts those detained and moves onto finding a more durable solution to the question of asylum seekers. Not worried about putting strain on the "social fabric" of Australia then Flag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Not worried about putting strain on the "social fabric" of Australia then Flag? No due to the small numbers involved. No comparison with Nauru. Not forgetting the social capital won by ridding itself of the dreadful system in place. Far more concerned with excess workers being imported and foreigners buying up Aussie housing. Take a look there at the threat to social fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenon4017 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Preventing asylum seekers access to mobile phones. wtf, you wouldn't think a mobile phone would be high enough on their priority to cause an issue about it. Curbing, not preventing. Who knows, maybe they're on a pay as you go plan. And as for missing a meal. I can't remember the last week I had where I didn't miss at least one meal. What will they complain about next? Missing an episode of Home and Away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Meanwhile an Iranian asylum seeker who was on Manus is brain dead, as a result of a cut on his foot. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asylum-seeker-brain-dead-after-delay-in-treatment-for-infection-20140903-10bwb0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 One of the reasons for the problems is "fighting amongst factions". They all struggle to get out of a place where they are being persecuted, travel with family in squalor, taking risks to try and get a better life, pay a lot of money on the promise someone is going to take them to Australia, and they can't even let their factionism go for a while, even when they are living with people who presumably are looking for the same as them. A better life. In the meantime Aus is expected to let them in and bring all their problems with them. We already have too many fighting abroad in Syria, Iraq etc. and people already living here who can't get on with each other because their allegiance lies with some faction or other in the place they left. We aren't quite as bad as the UK and their home grown terrorists yet but give it a few years of lax controls and it will be. Maybe Manus Island is closing as there are not as many Asylum seekers making it now and there's no need for the extra room. Don't think it's unravelling at all but instead points to it being quite successful. Another one of the reasons for causing trouble listed Preventing asylum seekers access to mobile phones. wtf, you wouldn't think a mobile phone would be high enough on their priority to cause an issue about it. I suppose without their mobile though, they can't be letting the press know on a daily basis how badly they are being treated. They probably got the Guardian, Sarah Hansen-Young and their lawyers on speed dial. So you choose to focus on that, rather than the fact that the Australian govt has a policy that no boat arrivals will EVER set foot in Australia, to which end they send them to PNG.....with no guarantee in place (and no prospect in the future) that PNG actually accepts refugees....now THAT'S worthy of a WTF Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Curbing, not preventing. Who knows, maybe they're on a pay as you go plan. And as for missing a meal. I can't remember the last week I had where I didn't miss at least one meal. What will they complain about next? Missing an episode of Home and Away? I'd really love to see how you'd cope with indefinite detention in Manus or Nauru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Frankly, I'm no longer interested in what happens, ALLEGEDLY, on Nauru, Manus island, Christmas Island. The boats have stopped. Period. If the ALP had still been in power, all the camps would have been even more crowded than they are now. People who can't get on in their own countries, naturally continue their disputes when they are held in detention camps, and they also continue those disputes if they are ever let out into the general community. I hope that never happens. It's convenient for the lefties to blame it on the nasty Aussie Government, when these people hate each other to start with. Anyway, what do they expect? 5 star hotels? They have ALLEGEDLY fled awful regimes in their own countries. isn't it enough that we take them in? And of course what happens when Isis 'asylum seekers' start trying to come here. LET THEM IN! We MUST believe them. If they SAY they are in danger of their lives ( I certainly hope so in the case of ISIS) we MUST believe them. Sod that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Many of you will be pleased to hear the government are cutting funding to support asylum seekers. Therefore there will be more mental health problems amongst this group of people, and more suffering.. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/red-cross-to-lose-500-jobs-after-coalition-cuts-asylum-seeker-case-load?CMP=soc_567 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Many of you will be pleased to hear the government are cutting funding to support asylum seekers. Therefore there will be more mental health problems amongst this group of people, and more suffering..http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/red-cross-to-lose-500-jobs-after-coalition-cuts-asylum-seeker-case-load?CMP=soc_567 I'm always pleased to find out that, because now that the boats have stopped, the Australian government can divert much needed funds to other areas of our economy, perhaps looking after the mental health of Australians, many of whom have to wait months before they can see psychologists or psychiatrists. And what about our official intake of refugees? If internment in camps leads to mental health problems, then every one of them will be suffering, and we can help them better now that the boat people numbers have stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'm always pleased to find out that, because now that the boats have stopped, the Australian government can divert much needed funds to other areas of our economy, perhaps looking after the mental health of Australians, many of whom have to wait months before they can see psychologists or psychiatrists. And what about our official intake of refugees? If internment in camps leads to mental health problems, then every one of them will be suffering, and we can help them better now that the boat people numbers have stopped. i dontfor for a minute believe that the money would go towards human services for 'Australians' the government just doesn't care that much about the health and well being of others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Yes it really is great news. The less illegal arrivals the more money saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Many of you will be pleased to hear the government are cutting funding to support asylum seekers. Therefore there will be more mental health problems amongst this group of people, and more suffering..http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/02/red-cross-to-lose-500-jobs-after-coalition-cuts-asylum-seeker-case-load?CMP=soc_567 all part of the grand plan, 'Operation NIMBY' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpodom Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 So your answer is to let them rot forever, so long as they just fk off out of Aus, yeah? No interest in any asylum claim, just assume they're terrorists, set and forget, fk the process of assessing claims, fk human rights. What a guy you are! 'isn't it enough that we take them in?'.....let me say this slowly, WE'RE NOT TAKING THEM IN, WE'RE DEFLECTING TO WHICHEVER COUNTRY IS PREPARED TO HOST OUR PRISONS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ANY POLICIES IN PLACE TO ACCEPT REFUGEES!!!!! I can't believe you continue to spout such vapid nonsense, after all the hot air you've expelled on this issue, I thought you might have picked up some facts along the way, if nothing else, by osmosis. Frankly, I'm no longer interested in what happens, ALLEGEDLY, on Nauru, Manus island, Christmas Island. The boats have stopped. Period. If the ALP had still been in power, all the camps would have been even more crowded than they are now. People who can't get on in their own countries, naturally continue their disputes when they are held in detention camps, and they also continue those disputes if they are ever let out into the general community. I hope that never happens. It's convenient for the lefties to blame it on the nasty Aussie Government, when these people hate each other to start with. Anyway, what do they expect? 5 star hotels? They have ALLEGEDLY fled awful regimes in their own countries. isn't it enough that we take them in? And of course what happens when Isis 'asylum seekers' start trying to come here. LET THEM IN! We MUST believe them. If they SAY they are in danger of their lives ( I certainly hope so in the case of ISIS) we MUST believe them. Sod that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 all part of the grand plan, 'Operation NIMBY' Exactly RIGHT, Harpo! Keep the former Tamil Tigers, Taliban, ISIS, etc scum out of our backyard. We don't want them masquerading as 'asylum seekers', only to come here, then carry on their fights and their prejudices, which we have to accept in the name of supporting 'cultural diversity' - see Rotherham in the UK, if you don't know what this means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 So your answer is to let them rot forever, so long as they just fk off out of Aus, yeah? No interest in any asylum claim, just assume they're terrorists, set and forget, fk the process of assessing claims, fk human rights. What a guy you are! 'isn't it enough that we take them in?'.....let me say this slowly, WE'RE NOT TAKING THEM IN, WE'RE DEFLECTING TO WHICHEVER COUNTRY IS PREPARED TO HOST OUR PRISONS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ANY POLICIES IN PLACE TO ACCEPT REFUGEES!!!!! I can't believe you continue to spout such vapid nonsense, after all the hot air you've expelled on this issue, I thought you might have picked up some facts along the way, if nothing else, by osmosis. I don't have a problem with that. Christmas Island (legally part of Australia, remember), is/has been full to overflowing, so we need somewhere else to hold them whilst we confirm their stories are true, or not. Of course, we would not have to waste time doing this, if they came here with their papers and passports. Other countries in our region, need our economic help, and we give it to them as a 'quid pro pro', ie they hold our overflow, whilst we check their stories, and pay the countries for their trouble. 'Win Win' I think. Oh, hang on, you mean that the alleged 'asylum seekers' fleeing for their very lives, supposedly for the first country that will accept them, want to pick and choose WHICH country they seek asylum in? Isn't that a bit like being adrift in a life boat and rejecting the first ship that comes along to rescue them, because it flies the wrong flag? As I have often said, Abbott said he would stop the boats, and he has. End of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 And Abbott won the election overwhelmingly on this platform end of. And ALP policy is not that much different. They just couldn't execute it properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I really don't know why we argue with foreigners about how we process asylum seekers in Australia. Fit in or F**k off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) And Abbott won the election overwhelmingly on this platform end of. And ALP policy is not that much different. They just couldn't execute it properly. Even worse with 'Pink Batts' and what does Sarah Hanson-Young communist say about it? Edited September 3, 2014 by MARYROSE02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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