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Migration Amendment (Detention of Minors) Bill 2010
Explanatory Memorandum
Circulated by authority of Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
GENERAL OUTLINE: Policy Rationale
The Migration Amendment (Detention of Minors) Bill 2010 seeks to ensure that the decision
to keep children and families out of immigration detention does not rely on the goodwill of
the Minister of the day.
This Bill seeks to provide that children detained under the Migration Act 1958 not be held in
immigration detention facilities but instead be placed, along with their immediate family
members or guardians, in community residential housing.
In including the explicit reference to Articles 4 and 37 of the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child, the Bill acts to strengthen and codify within the Migration Act that
minors must only be detained as a matter of last resort, not as a matter of first and only
resort as is the current practice.
The Bill also seeks to expand the residence determination process, to ensure that the
Minister, must, within 12 days, determine that a minor is to reside at a specified place within
the community rather than being held in detention.
In expanding the residence determination section, this Bill seeks to appoint a guardian to
advocate for the best interests of the minor. This is a particularly important point, when the
Minister is both the perceived "detainer" and "guardian" of unaccompanied minors.
As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Australia has a responsibility
in upholding the full range of human rights--civil, cultural, economic, political and social
rights. By cementing our international obligations in legislation, the Bill provides a clear
framework of human rights standards to ensure minors, seeking Australia's protection, are
afforded with the protection they deserve.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Clause 1 - Short title
This clause provides for the Act, when enacted, to be cited as the Migration Amendment
(Detention of Minors) Act 2010.
Clause 2 - Commencement
This clause provides for sections 1 to 3 of the Act to commence on the day it receives Royal
Assent, schedule 1 and 2 (part 1) to commence the day after this Act receives Royal Assent,
and schedule 2 (part 2) immediately after the commencement of the Commonwealth
Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2010.
Clause 3 - Objects
This clause identifies that the object of this Bill is to ensure that children are not held in
immigration detention facilities, but rather housed along with their immediate family, where
possible, in community housing.
This clause also identifies Articles 4 and 37 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
as integral in assisting Australia meet its international obligations.
Schedule 1 - Amendments relating to the detention of minors
Item 1 - Repeal section 4AA and substitute with:
The principles protecting the rights of minors under this Act. This new section specifically
inserts Article 37 (b, c, and d) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Item 2 - In subsection 5(1) insert:
A formal definition of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Item 3 - After section 197AB insert new subdivision 197ABA
This new subdivision seeks to strengthen the residence determination powers currently held
by the Immigration Minister. Specifically, it seeks to mandate that the Minister 'must' make
a determination within 12 days after arriving that a minor is to reside in a specified place
within the community.
Subsection 2 ensures that where a minor has been identified to being a member of a family
unit, the Minister must make a determination that, if it's in the best interest of the minor,
they are to reside with the family within the community.
Subsection 3 identifies that where no person over the age of 18 has been identified as a
member of the same family unit as the minor, but the minor is in the care of another person
in detention the Minister must make a determination that the person reside in a place with
the minor within the community.
Subsection 4 ensures that for the purposes of subsection (2) and (3), the Minister must act
within the best interests of the child.
Subsection 5 allows the Minister to delegate to an authorised officer the power to make the
determinations as set out in subsection (1), (2) or (3).
Subsection 6 provides that regulations must be made for the method by which a person
under subsection (2) and (3) is to have their relationship to a minor assessed. This process is
required to occur within 30 days of application.
Schedule 2 - Amendments relating to the guardianship of minors
Part 1 - Appointment of a guardian
Item 1 - after subsection 197ABA (4):
This ensures that the Minister is required to consult with the guardian if one has been
appointed, when acting in the best interest of the child.
Item 2 - at the end of Division 7 of Part 2, add Subdivision C - Appointment of a guardian
Part 2 - Children's Commissioner
This section relates to the appointment of a Children's Commissioner in place of the
guardian, following the passing of the Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young
People Bill 2010.