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Detention centre services on mainland to be provided by states and territories Detention centre services on mainland to be provided by states and territories
(4 months later)
Australia’s mainland detention centres face widespread changes to healthcare, education and policing with the states and territories taking over services previously provided by private contractors.Australia’s mainland detention centres face widespread changes to healthcare, education and policing with the states and territories taking over services previously provided by private contractors.
The federal government’s budget announcement says the Immigration Department has reached an agreement with the states and territories to radically alter the way services are provided in immigration detention in mainland centres.The federal government’s budget announcement says the Immigration Department has reached an agreement with the states and territories to radically alter the way services are provided in immigration detention in mainland centres.
“The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has negotiated arrangements with a number of state and territory governments for the provision of various services (including health, education, corrections and policing services) to immigration detention facilities and people in immigration detention.”“The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has negotiated arrangements with a number of state and territory governments for the provision of various services (including health, education, corrections and policing services) to immigration detention facilities and people in immigration detention.”
It is unclear whether this would mean the federal government was moving away from privatisation, or whether the states would be free to subsequently privatise services.It is unclear whether this would mean the federal government was moving away from privatisation, or whether the states would be free to subsequently privatise services.
Previously, management of Australia’s onshore detention centres was contracted to the private contractor Serco, but the company’s contract is due to expire in July. International Health and Medical Services, which provides healthcare in detention centres, is also due to expire soon.Previously, management of Australia’s onshore detention centres was contracted to the private contractor Serco, but the company’s contract is due to expire in July. International Health and Medical Services, which provides healthcare in detention centres, is also due to expire soon.
In a budget release, the immigration minister also said that by curbing the number of asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, the government is projected to save $2.5bn over five years.In a budget release, the immigration minister also said that by curbing the number of asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, the government is projected to save $2.5bn over five years.
Despite this the Commission of Audit highlighted that Australia’s detention program, targeted mainly at asylum seekers who arrive by boat, was likely to cost $10bn over the forward estimates.Despite this the Commission of Audit highlighted that Australia’s detention program, targeted mainly at asylum seekers who arrive by boat, was likely to cost $10bn over the forward estimates.
Last Friday the immigration minister announced the merging of customs and immigration border operations into a new agency called the Australian Border Force, as part of the cost saving measures. Immigration staff across a range of areas – including immigration compliance, detention services and customs strategy – would be taken into the new agency.Last Friday the immigration minister announced the merging of customs and immigration border operations into a new agency called the Australian Border Force, as part of the cost saving measures. Immigration staff across a range of areas – including immigration compliance, detention services and customs strategy – would be taken into the new agency.
The minister claims that savings made by “stopping the boats” will allow for an expansion of the special humanitarian program for refugees. 20,000 extra places on this program will be created. The minister claims that savings made by “stopping the boats” will allow for an expansion of the special humanitarian program for refugees. 20,000 extra places on this program will be created.
“In 2014-15, Australia will welcome 13,750 people through our humanitarian program and [it] remains one of the top three refugee resettlement countries in the world,” the minister said.“In 2014-15, Australia will welcome 13,750 people through our humanitarian program and [it] remains one of the top three refugee resettlement countries in the world,” the minister said.
The government had previously cut the humanitarian intake from 20,000 under the ALP government.The government had previously cut the humanitarian intake from 20,000 under the ALP government.
A growth in skilled migration has also been forecast by pledging to allocate nearly 68% of Australia’s “migration places” to this sector and prioritising employer-sponsored visas.A growth in skilled migration has also been forecast by pledging to allocate nearly 68% of Australia’s “migration places” to this sector and prioritising employer-sponsored visas.
“The 2014-15 migration program provides a total of 190,000 places, including 128,550 for skilled migration, 60,885 places for family migration and 565 places for migration under the special eligibility stream,” the minister said.“The 2014-15 migration program provides a total of 190,000 places, including 128,550 for skilled migration, 60,885 places for family migration and 565 places for migration under the special eligibility stream,” the minister said.
The budget announcement also flags a major funding boost for Indonesia, with additional funding of $86.8m over three years.The budget announcement also flags a major funding boost for Indonesia, with additional funding of $86.8m over three years.