A 23-year-old Afghan man died in the immigration detention centre in Melbourne on 13 July. The police reported that the circumstances of the death are not suspicious. Fellow detainees said that the man had signed for a bridging visa 5 months ago but it had not been forthcoming. The Department of Home Affairs issued a statement of condolence to his family.
A Federal Court judge issued the Department of Home Affairs with a five day deadline to transfer a refugee from Nauru to Australia. It came after a previous order to transfer the man was not complied with. The order included a directive that if the deadline is not met, the Department will be required to detail the steps it has taken to action the transfer and to name those who have prevented it. Reporters noted the directive’s significance in terms of requiring the Department to disclose information about processes and people.
A two-year-old child in immigration detention in Melbourne sustained a mild head injury when a whiteboard fell onto her. Media outlets reported a seven hour delay between the incident and her transfer to a hospital for treatment. The Department of Home Affairs reportedly confirmed the incident occurred, but stated that the child was not injured and that the family had refused offers of treatment. She was returned to the detention centre after an overnight stay in hospital.
A further seven refugees on Nauru were confirmed for departure to the USA under the Australia-US resettlement deal. Radio NZ reported that the total number of people transferred under the deal now stands at 580 (out of the 1250 as per the agreement).