A Senate enquiry is examining the legislation that would prevent maritime arrivals who were sent to offshore facilities from ever settling in Australia. Figures submitted by the Department of Home Affairs showed 2074 of the 5191 asylum seekers who arrived by boat were never sent to offshore detention centres. It also showed that, of the 3127 people who were transferred to offshore centres, 52 have been granted Australian visas (TPVs or SHEVs). The general counsel to Home Affairs stated that those on temporary visas would be subject to ministerial discretion regarding whether they can remain in Australia after their current visas expire. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the legislation would cause 14 families to be separated.
A Freedom of Information Request revealed that Australian airlines and charter planes have been used to involuntarily transfer more than 8000 people in the immigration detention system between July 2017 and May 2019. These transfers included deportations and relocations between detention facilities. The information was acquired by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility as they prepare a motion for the Qantas AGM to review its participation in involuntary transfers.
An internal Ernst & Young audit report was submitted to the Senate inquiry into the performance of Paladin, the company contracted to provide services to the detention facilities on Manus Island. The audit report noted a serious risk from the reliance on self-reporting by the contractor. It found that Paladin had not logged performance data for its security staff and that the company did not know how many times it had failed to provide transport in a timely manner. The report recommended future contracts of this nature should be monitored by way of monthly site visits instead of self-reporting.
The last cohort of refugees was invited to be transferred from Manus Island to Port Moresby, bringing the offshore operations on Manus Island to a close. They were assured that they would receive accommodation, health, employment and casework assistance in Port Moresby.
7 News reported on the cases of 50 people who are stateless and have remained in indefinite detention in Australia because their deportation would require their countries of origin to be established. Amongst others, the report outlines the case of one man who has been in detention for 10 years with no prospect of release. The government refused to comment on the cases.