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Nauru files dominate Senate hearing as third detention facility in PNG revealed Nauru files dominate Senate hearing as third detention facility in PNG revealed
(about 20 hours later)
The Nauru files have dominated a bellicose Senate estimates hearing into the immigration department, which also revealed Australia is building a third detention facility in Papua New Guinea. High-profile whistleblowers such as Dr Peter Young, the former head of mental health for IHMS, and Paul Stevenson, a traumatologist who also worked on both Nauru and Manus, have faced heavy recriminations for speaking out about abuses in offshore detention.
The government revealed it established a dedicated taskforce that spent several months conducting an analysis of the Nauru files, despite the fact the 2,100 incident reports contained within them were the property of the government. They, and others, have lost jobs, been publicly vilified, and, in some cases, had their communications monitored, and police investigations launched into their activities. Friends and colleagues have been telephoned and harassed by police, seeking information about private conversations.
Incident reports filed on Nauru are sent to no fewer than 19 @border.gov.au email addresses within the department. Wilson Security even took the extraordinary step of hiring a private investigator to “aggressively” pursue sources of stories to The Guardian and other media outlets.
In August, the Guardian published more than 2,100 incident reports from Nauru’s detention centre, which included reports and allegations of sexual abuse on women and children, assaults of children, rape, widespread mental harm and epidemic rates of self-harm and suicide attempts, among other more prosaic complaints and reports. The Nauru Files - the Guardian’s publication of more than 2000 incident reports from the island’s detention centre - have dominated senate estimates into the immigration department, with ???.
The immigration department secretary, Mike Pezzullo, told estimates that bureaucrats spent several months, including working on weekends, cross-checking the Guardian’s redacted reports. The government spent several months conducting an analysis into the Nauru Files, despite the fact the incident reports contained within them were the property of the government. Incident reports filed on Nauru are sent to no fewer than 19 @border.gov.au email addresses within the department.
The government’s analysis confirmed the veracity of the incident reports: almost all were able to be cross-checked. Department secretary Mike Pezzullo said bureaucrats spent several weeks, including working weekends, cross-checking The Guardian’s redacted reports (The Guardian chose to redact personal details of people involved in incidents).
Pezzullo said, in response to the 304 critical and major incidents within the Nauru files, in 96% of cases, the actions taken were “immediate and appropriate”. Critical and major incidents include an act of self-harm, suicide attempt, sexual assault of a child, or serious assault, estimates heard. Pezzullo said, in response to the ??? critical and major incidents within the Nauru files, in 96% of cases, the actions taken were “immediate and appropriate”.
Pezzullo said the majority of reports on Nauru were “minor” or “information” reports and not allegations or evidence of serious criminality. In a small number, it was not possible for the department to establish the ???.
Guardian Australia did not report that every single file related to a sexual assault or child abuse allegation. The reports range from extremely serious allegations to mundane daily reports that show the totality of life on Nauru. Guardian Australia clearly documented the full spectrum of incidents and conducted a detailed data analysis of each of the incident categories. Chair of the committee Queensland Senator Ian MacDonald criticised Guardian Australia for publishing the files, and the said the reports were over-dramatised “most of these were trifling at best”, while also telling the committee he hadn’t read them.
The chairman of the committee, the Queensland senator Ian Macdonald, criticised the Guardian for publishing the files and said the reports were over-dramatised – “most of these were trifling at best” – while also telling the committee he hadn’t read them.
“It’s good to have the truth in this estimates today.”“It’s good to have the truth in this estimates today.”
He wanted to know if people held in offshore detention were “middle class”.He wanted to know if people held in offshore detention were “middle class”.
The circularity of discussion was evident in an exchange between the Greens senator Nick McKim and Pezzullo about the future of the Manus Island detention centre, which was ruled “illegal and unconstitutional” by the PNG supreme court in April but remains in operation. Guardian Australia did not report that every single file related to a sexual assault or child abuse allegation. The reports range from extremely serious allegations to mundane daily reports that show the totality of life on Nauru. Guardian Australia clearly documented the full spectrum of incidents and conducted a detailed data analysis of each of the incident categories.
Pezzullo: “The Manus regional processing centre is no longer required in the foreseeable future and it will close in the foreseeable future.” The estimates committee also dealt with ???
guardian - isn’t austrlian awful- the truth which we’ve hard today, most of these were trifling at best,
incidents so-clalled - to put the reocrd straight
we certainly provided a factual response at the time, this has all just come - set up a taskforce
“I haven’t take a great deal of notice in this inquiry.”
You’ve made an issue of this - anyone might follow just how trifling this is
“I don’t know that we find it entirely produtive as dispassionately as we might with the Guardian.”
CHosen to make ceratain information
KWS - we share the unredacted reports - documents sitting behind the redcated versions -
The Guardian were not willing to collrboarate
so they’ve published thsie allegations -
“I regret to rhing that we might piurusre this matter in another committee.”
“puts thlie to the headlines shows most of the incidents were trifling.”
The estimates hearing was ???. Mich of thr and the ???.
The secretive nature of offshore detention was also reflected in repeated obfuscation from department officials.
The circularity was evident in a wholly unenlightening exchange between Greens Senator Nick McKim and Pezzullo about the future of the Manus Island detention centre, which was ruled “illegal and unconstitutional” by the PNG Supreme Court in April but remains in operation.
Pezzullo: “The Manus regional processing centre is no longer required in the foreseeable future, and it will close in the foreseeable future.”
McKim: “How long is the foreseeable future?”McKim: “How long is the foreseeable future?”
Pezzullo: “A future that we can foresee.”Pezzullo: “A future that we can foresee.”
McKim: “What do you mean by that?”McKim: “What do you mean by that?”
Pezzullo: “The ordinary sense of the meaning.”Pezzullo: “The ordinary sense of the meaning.”
The government confirmed it would spend $20m building a third holding centre for detainees on Manus Island. It has already built the detention centre itself, at Lombrum, on a remote military base in Manus province, as well as the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre near Manus’s main city, Lorengau. Wilson Security hiring a private investigator to investigate a Guardian
The third secure facility will be built at Bomana, in Port Moresby, to house up to 50 people, as a transit centre for asylum seekers who are being deported or who have chosen to go home. Nockles - no direct contrcatula relationship with Wilsons - with Broadspecturm - “The department did not sperifically ask Wilson to conduct an investigation.”
The government also confirmed it remained in discussions with third countries about resettling refugees it has sent to PNG but would not reveal which countries it was speaking to, or the progress of any discussions. PZ - “It would be passing strange for any such direction to be given to Wilsons to conduct an investigation.”
The department denied it ordered or requested Wilson Security to hire a private investigator to “aggressively” pursue confidential sources who provided information to refugee advocates and journalists, including Guardian reporters. Mansu Island - has had their claism for refugee sattus approved - attacked on Lorgenau town last week. including quite a significant knock to the head
ongoing medical issues
pay for it himself -
“I’m not sure who would have made such a statement or assertion. A refugee whose availaling himselves of residencey either in the MIRPC or
subject of some sort of criminal assault.”
“Like any peoson who is the ubject - their rights and access to health services, a refugee like Australia. Get medical treatment themsleves.”
Woodley-
was hospitalisied, there were a number of charges laid, someon arrested
“I’m not sure where that’s up to at the moment.”
“I certainly
“once I start to specify the time periods, I start to specify. The two governments are in a discussion about the government.”
Pezzullo -
The dpeartmtn is finalising its ubmission, and preparing ofro the heading set
“set the record straight, here adovates continue to miseroent facts in a bid to change policy
Child protection panel - taken stpes - this morning - dept - new children’s safeguarding framework - new information site
immigration detention in Australia - better inform the public about immigration detention
Acting ABF Commisson
Autrim
Assistant Commissioner Kingsley Woodford-Smith of Detention, Compliance and Removals Division
further drill-down of the data
2123 referred to Nauru Police
2123 incident reports:
23 critical - action immediate and appropriate
281 major - 270 immediate and appropriate action (11 insufficient)
1819 - unclassified - 1527 found, 1460 - appropriate action
further 91 some form of action, weren’t able to confirm appropriateness
292 were unable to be matched - weren’t in ABF records
Minor - minor may well be children not going to school, child swearing, microwave wasn’t working, person woken by vehicle noise
Sen Carr - Hot Issue Briefs
“Hot issues briefs - heas up something coming up - set
Michale Outram -
Hot Issues Briefs -
800 days since the last successfull
The last
Maj-Gen Bottrell
Pezzullo - the last 800 days has sen an escaltion in pull factors, rise of Isis, escalation of Syria and Iraq - outflow of hundreds of thousands, low millions
moving towards Euorpe - moassive outflows from Syria, Iraq
“Not to forget, there are conflict zones elsewhere in the world that are producing outflows, sub-Saharan Africa for example.”
“healthy appetite” amongst the people-smugglers
The last asylum seeker boat to reach Australia arrived at Cocos Island in May
Maj-Gen Bottrell -
3 yearss since OSB was established to combat people smugling - recently passed the 800 day mark since a successfull people-smuggling venture to Australia
2 1/2 years since the last known death on route to Australia
740 people
29 vessels - have been returned
further 4 vessels - 42 people - returned to country of departure
cooperative efforts from regional governments
“people smugglesr continue to try to convincen uninormed and vulnerable poeple to get on boats”
“As I result from
The chance of a ppl smuggling venture has reduced
The recent arrest of Captain Bram in west jakarata - and extraidtion to Nagar to Aus - deterrence efforts and close co-operation with neighbours
“Actively sought to provide more detail on the nature of our deterrent operations.”
“letent threat continues to exist.”
15,000 “who could be convinced” in Indo - people in SL, subcontinuet, “looking very closely at the domestic discussion and waiting for changes in that environment”.
“settlement in Australia is not an option for those who arrive in
Bottrell - deeply politicised
“it is a hypothetical, but there was some analysis done of the exponential increase. There was a suggestion that had they increased to - outstripped the capacity of Manus and Nauru. Others might be better placed to talk about the capacity of our detention facilities.”
Pezzullo
“Even without linear projectis - plausible case - an interd, 25,000 persons per annum
“get to a sense 0- opening, quarter of a million people, I doubt any government would have been in - alrerantive futures
incredibly hypothetical - not
At a heated, partisan, and regularly juvenile estimates hearing ???
is currently 13,750 - rising to 18,750 - lower than 20,000 accepted in 2012, and fewer than taken under Malcolm Fraser’s premiership.
Regional processing reactivated by Gillard government
“it’s the package of meas
“it’s that system of measures that saw a dramatic decline from that 2012 peak.”
“to get to zero you needed a humanitarian.”
Senator McKim
Manus Island
Pezzullo
“I have no idea what yo’re talking about if you’re tlaing about illegal facilities.”
“The decision of the SUpee Court of PNG is a mtter for the executive of that country to compy with. We are working with the
“I don’t need - we weren’t party to the proceedings, but having read the decision, we are satisfied that we are operating still on a lawful basis.
Operating legally?
“Absolutely. Yes.”
“That it relates to the detention of persons by the Manus - sich as they ahve no pathway to a resettlement outcome. the govenrment of PNG it’s u to them to d
ensure there is no ongoing detention
“Separate from any sondweuences any decision handed down by PNG
“The Manus regional processing centre is no longer required in the foreseeable future, and it will close in the foreseeable future.”
“A future that we can foresee.”
“The ordinary sense of the meaning.”
“once I start to specify the time periods, I start to specify. The two governments are in a discussion about the government.”
“Do I know to the definitieve extend of being able to nominate a date for you, no I don’t.
“Both governmtn working expeidioutslya nd purposefully towards a closure.”
“Whether or not we’ve specifically sought advice on what it might mean for our support services, rather than
on a plain reading of the decision it went to the ongoing detention of persons - it’s for the PNG authorities - they have announced there not be ongoing detention
“we intent to continue our discussions with - nnumber of discissions with a ujmer of third countries - to resettle
“the only option that’s off the table is any prosppoect of resettlement in Australia.”
I think there were orders to the effect of the relevant body to - expedite
Phillipa
“The orders that came from
reference governments of PNG and Aus - serrtary not a party to - some subsequent
in those subsequent has clarified
PZ
“We are working actiavely with a number of third country resettlement locations on the resettlemenet of those found to be owed protection.”
it’s a very significant proportion
“I’m not at liberty to disclose that. It would not be in the public interest to disclose that.”
“It woudl not be in Australian - publiuc interest immunity claim - substantiate - endorse the secretaries comments -
specific -
‘the harm would be in the general area of harm to our intenational relations
---
PZ - The department has excercised
We’ve exercised extensions - October 2017
“We are currently in the process of evaluating how best to, given the closure of MIRPC
as to our precise
“Any number greater than zero is terrible.”
“No intention department,
wasn’t 2100 - is Australia looking to introduce some sort of separate
Bermana - area quite close to the internatioanl airport - transfer facility - to hold 50 people - Australia is funding another
ICSA -
“If Mr Noccles
in the vicitiny of around $20 million - that is the Australian government’s contribution - we would be building the facility -
It’s a transit facility - go there for a week or two - before leaving
“The larger context remains - in orer to engage upon RSD - held detention, provision of services,
vexed issue of people found not to be refugees -
Nauru Files again - May 2013
The Nauru Files - have actually changed, the incidents have changed
“The reality is the microwave
anything that would fall outside the major/minor/critical
Information - 851 - some of the cartegories - microwave not working,
critical events - abusive behaviour, asault, actual sef-halrm assault on a mionr, concern for a minor, sexual assault/on a mnor, voluntary starvation
major - abusve or aggressive behavioru, actual sefl-harm, assault/minor, demonstration, disrubtance, fighting, medical incidents
304 in total
when the so-called NF came out - asst commissioner given v vlear direction - v conservative approach
look behind the redaction - on balance of poabilities- link it to an incident report -
wasn’t a quick flick and tick - laboriously went through records, spreadsheets, to try to establish as best we could - what do you think this incident relates to
96% of cases, all of the additioanl scrutiny - we got to the bottom of 96% of
it is regrettable that flobl opubliciatio - more inteesting in that publicity rather than working with indepdnent autjhorities
I do find it somewhere - classifyinging
Cetatin media outlets - we’ve taken every effort - medai handling as an operational advocates
what can this informatoin that is now on the web possibly
it literally was the furthest we could push into the data
968 minor incidents:
Woodford-Smith - 1819
some of those went to microwaves not woriking, went to a noisy environment,
“what a reasonable person would regard as minor”
“residents concerned about other residents”. “There are complaints in there,
2107 published 1819 - minor/information
other reporting systems -
2107 - STC
16 Connect
“There is mostly, in that category, very low level. I d not there are information reports that r not necessarily of that nature. Some of those are information reports.
2123 - departmental officers - I’m not aware of any - integirty and
I’m unaware of any incident ABF report
Woodford-Smith: “There is no incident report which involves an ABF officer.”
“Issues of misconduct of weonggoind woudl be referred to me. I can say with a 99% of
zero references from the so-called Nauru Files as an allegation of
The large majority are single residents are
two kids having a stoush about the playstation - major/minor - information report
Around 15:38 - is the no ABF officers involved...
Estimates revealed
Woodford-Smith
“Save the Children, in terms of their reporting, their view was to upgrade rather than reduce or taken an incident it at its face value.”
The Guardian never reported that every
The nauruan government - Danish MPs - not lk
McKim