307. In its 2014 National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention, the
Commission found that children on Nauru were suffering from extreme
levels of physical, emotional, psychological and developmental distress,
and that the conditions in which children were detained were in breach of
the CRC.284 Its recommendations were that all children and their families
on Nauru be released into the Australian community as soon as
practicable, and that no child be sent offshore for processing where they
will be detained unless it is clear that their human rights will be
respected.285
308. The Commission notes several recent cases where the Federal Court of
Australia found that health care services available on Nauru did not meet
the needs of children with complex physical and mental health
conditions.286 The Commission has expressed concern that delays in
transferring unwell children to Australia for treatment may compromise
their health and potentially place their lives at risk. The Commission
considers that where a child’s health and welfare is at risk, the child and
their family should be transferred to Australia as a matter of urgency and
without delay.287
Recommendation 42: The Australian Government resettles all children and
their families held on Nauru as a matter of urgency.
(d)
Guardianship of unaccompanied children
309. The Minister for Home Affairs is the legal guardian of unaccompanied
children seeking asylum in Australia.288 The Minister can delegate this role
to officers of the Australian Government or state or territory governments,
including officers of the Department of Home Affairs.289
310. The Commission has repeatedly raised concerns that the Minister, as
Guardian, is also responsible for administering the immigration detention
system and making decisions about visas, removals and transfers under
third country processing arrangements. Given these multiple roles, it is
difficult for the Minister (or their delegate) to ensure that the best interests
of the child are a primary consideration when making decisions
concerning unaccompanied children.
Recommendation 43: The Australian Government introduces legislation to
amend the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 (Cth) to create an
independent guardian role so that the Minister for the Department of
Home Affairs is no longer the legal guardian of unaccompanied children
seeking asylum.
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