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The aim of this submission is to inform HREOC, at the outset of its Inquiry, of the concerns held about Children in Immigration in Detention, by members of the legal profession in New South Wales. The focus of the submission is limited to the issue of compliance with international and domestic legal obligations. Relevant obligations are outlined, concerns are highlighted and finally,…

CARAD is a group of volunteers, supporters and donors formed from January 2000, in an attempt to meet some of the range of essential and urgent needs of refugees who reach Perth, following assessment of their claim while in a detention centre. We have now met in excess of 2,000 refugees, not all of whom remain in WA, and have provided them with compassionate, practical assistance. We estimate…

1. The provisions made by Australia to implement its international human rights obligations regarding child asylum seekers, including unaccompanied minors.

"We reaffirm our commitment to continue our struggle to eliminate all forms of violence and torture against children and to create a world that protects and fulfils the rights of all children." [1]

I am a psychologist, currently registered to practice in Victoria and South Australia. Australian Correctional Management employed me as a psychologist, from March 7th to April 16th. 20002

Department of Justice and Youth Studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology The Department of Justice and Youth Studies (JYS) is part of the Faculty of Education, Language and Community Services (FELCS) at RMIT University. JYS offers undergraduate courses in Criminal Justice Administration and Youth Affairs, as well as Masters by Research and PhD programs.

On behalf of ASTSS I would like to thank you for inviting us to this meeting. Our Association consists of professionals of different disciplines whose aim is to diagnose, treat and prevent major stresses and traumas and their consequences. Some of our members have expressed concern from their clinical experience that traumatized detainees have been further traumatized, and as well, that carers…

The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH) is the Australian Affiliate of the World Association for Infant Mental Health. It aims to improve professional and public recognition that infancy is a critical period in psychosocial development for infants and the family and to provide a focus for multidisciplinary interaction and co-operation for those who are involved and interested…

The Australian Association for the Welfare of Child Health (AWCH) is a national organisation of parents and professionals which advocates for and raises awareness of the psychosocial needs of children, young people and their families within the health care system in Australia. AWCH advocates a holistic family-oriented approach to the care of children and young people, acknowledging the vital role…

The Australian Early Childhood Association (AECA) is a national non-government, non-profit advocacy organisation that speaks out on behalf of all young children from birth to eight years. It stands as the voice for children and aims to ensure that the best interests of children are always at the forefront of decision making. Members include childcare services, schools, peak early childhood…

This submission will comment on the Mental Health and development needs of child asylum seekers from an analysis of the interview transcripts from nine refugees who have an experience of detention in Australia. 12th March 2002

The Australian Psychological Society categorically condemns the practice of detaining child asylum seekers and their families, on the grounds that it is not commensurate with psychological best practice concerning children’s development and mental health and wellbeing. Detention of children in this fashion is also arguably a violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Barnardos Australia is a family support and out of home care children's welfare agency operating services in New South Wales and ACT. We make this submission based on a number of detainee children and young people that we have provided services for within their own families, and as homeless adolescents. Furthermore, Barnardos has general experience of the impact of institutional care of children…

Centacare Newcastle is the official welfare arm of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. The service was established in 1961 and is one of the longest standing welfare agencies in the Hunter. Centacare aims to provide high quality services concerned with the alleviation of conditions which lead to injustice or misery through poverty, alienation, unemployment, marital disharmony, child abuse…

"The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding".

We must face up to our humanitarian responsibilities to accept refugee children and their families. We must take them out of the immigration detention centres and welcome them into the community where they can play, learn and grow. At least then when our children look back on this time and ask us what we did to stand up for refugee kids, we can say we gave them their childhood." (Calvert,…

The National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention refers to the adequacy and appropriateness of Australia’s treatment of child asylum seekers and other children who are, or have been, held in immigration detention, including:

The current mandatory detention policy of the Commonwealth of Australia breaches the fundamental principle of the rights of the child which is that children should be able to develop to their full potential. The policy breaches every article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The policy violates the right to health as established by international law.

The University of Western Sydney, Bankstown Campus is located approximately twenty minutes from Villawood Detention Centre. Within the School of Education and Early Childhood Studies there is a strong commitment to social justice and to the celebration of diversity. The undergraduate early childhood program developed by academics at the university promotes awareness of the rights of children and…

This submission makes brief comment on the education of children in detention. It provides a more complete picture of the education services offered to these children by the Department of Education, Training and Employment in South Australia (hereafter the department) after they have been processed as refugees and released into the community. Note is also made of a group of children who have been…