tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17446547.post1811616622691726178..comments2024-02-01T09:30:03.692-05:00Comments on Forced Migration Current Awareness: Regional Focus: AustraliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17446547.post-57187737379295854262013-05-17T08:57:26.819-04:002013-05-17T08:57:26.819-04:00Law professor Jane McAdam at the University of New...Law professor Jane McAdam at the University of New South Wales provided this comment re. Australia's recent migration amendment:<br /> <br />You might also be interested in adding links to the submissions made to the Australian Senate Committee that considered the excision bill earlier this year, as well as the Committee’s report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=legcon_ctte/completed_inquiries/2010-13/unauthorised_maritime_arrivals/index.htm.<br /> <br />This was, in effect, a replica of a bill that the Howard government had sought to introduce in 2006, and which was ultimately withdrawn when it became clear that it would be defeated in the Senate, with a number of government Senators threatening to vote against it or abstain. The present government, then in opposition, stated in a dissenting Senate Committee report at the time:<br /> <br />"concerns raised in relation to uncertainty about how the proposed arrangements will work in practice and the lack of accountability mechanisms; domestic policy issues such as the Bill’s flagrant incompatibility with the rule of law and the principles of natural justice; and the clear breach of Australia’s obligations under international law in several significant areas. The Bill also represents a complete ‘about-turn’ with respect to a number of recent reforms, including the principle that children should not be held in detention."<br /> <br />Thus, its introduction of the 2012 bill was a complete about-turn of its own. The history is detailed further in the submissions and report.FM Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03713090565038718336noreply@blogger.com