The response of the Department has been published alongside this report. Of the 24 recommendations that have been made by the Commission, the Department has agreed with two recommendations, disagreed with five recommendations, and noted the remaining 17. Many of these recommendations reflect similar recommendations made by the Commission in past reports, and are consistent with recommendations made by other oversight bodies, such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss ways the Commission could work with the Department in the future to engage in a more substantive way with these long-standing recommendations. The oversight and monitoring of places of detention by independent bodies such as the Australian Human Rights Commission plays an important role in shining a light on conditions of detention in Australia. But merely shining a light is, on its own, inadequate. It is what happens next that is the critical step. It is my hope that this inspection report not only shines a light on the use of hotel APODs in Australia, but leads to steps actually being taken to address the issues that have been highlighted. Lorraine Finlay Human Rights Commissioner June 2023 6