Howard and Georgiou Strike A Deal

The PM has announced major changes to Australia's system of immigration detention.

Families with children will be placed in community housing, rather than in detention centres, and thousands of those on temporary protection visas will be allowed to stay in Australia permanently. (This is so good!)

The primary decision on an asylum seeker's case must be made within three months, and the Refugee Review Tribunal must also finalise decisions within three months.

Long-term detainees who have been held for two years will have their cases referred to the Commonwealth ombudsman for review.

If a person has been detained for two years or more there will be an automatic requirement that every six months a report on their detention must be given to the Ombudsman who will give an assessment to the minister.

The Ombudsman's report to the minister will be a recommendation only.

Mr Howard says he wants a more cases to be dealt with in a timely way.

"Above all in a more timely manner," he said.

"It's fair to say that the more I have delved into this issue the greatest areas of complaint really arise around the issue of time, and therefore quite a number of the announcements I am about to make relate to the issue of the time it takes to deal with matters."

Mr Howard says mandatory detention remains.

"I think they represent a sensible advance on the existing arrangements. They don't undermine the existing policy," he said.

Liberal MP Petro Georgiou has welcomed the deal, saying he will withdraw his two Private Members Bills.

Lobby group, Justice for Refugees, has welcomed the changes.

But its chairman, Don McMaster, says detention cases should be reviewed sooner than after two years.

"I suppose anything is a step in the right direction, but I think two years is a bit too long," he said.

"Certainly after a year would be a much better time span, and using the ombudsman is an improvement."

(Source : ABC News)