Asylum seeker advocates have cautiously welcomed moves by ASIO to speed up the way it handles asylum seeker security checks, in a move the government hopes will result in a ''same-day service'' for security checks.
Asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia are often subjected to judicial canings, long periods of incarceration and arbitrary arrest, according to reports from within the country's immigration detention system.
While Australia's asylum seeker numbers fall, Labor is ensuring it will always lose the debate by remaining wedded to mandatory detention.
Immigration minister Chris Bowen is facing increasing political pressure over the government's handling of immigration detention today, after nine buildings were burnt down last night by protesting asylum seekers at Villawood Detention Centre.
The one thing the Australian public will never be presented with is the real choice -- do you want genuine community control over immigration policy, levels and source (a process that would generate an answer liked by neither left nor right)?
Opinion polls have demonstrated time and time again that Australians are not supporters of a Big Australia. And rightfully so, given the facts, writes Bob Carr.
Our treatment of asylum seekers is akin to the totalitarian dictators that Australia normally stands against. Just because oppressing asylum seekers is popular with voters, doesn't mean it's right, declares Ben Eltham.
After a week of violent protests on Christmas Island, it's clear the federal government is facing a humanitarian crisis with no clear resolution.
Australian Federal Police are struggling to regain control of the ongoing situation on Christmas Island, as detainees continue their week of protests by burning down accommodation tents and throwing rocks.
What happens when Serco breaches its multimillion dollar detention centre contract with the Depearment of Immigration and Citizenship? Well, we can't tell you, because no one has the obligation to say.
