New laws for immigration detention centres aim to stamp out ‘prison-like’ culture

In response to increased drug-related incidents and violence in immigration detention centres due to changing demographics, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced new legislation to enhance search powers and clarify item classifications. The legislation will allow for the search and seizure of “prohibited and controlled items” without a warrant, with safeguards in place for detainees’ communication rights. This initiative follows a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission highlighting concerns over safety and care at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, prompting 33 recommendations for improvement, with Home Affairs accepting or partially agreeing to 20 of them.

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