Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 11 February 2004:

(1) Further to the answer to question No. 2331 (Hansard, 24 November 2003, page 22577), what are the reasons for the change in the average cost of keeping an unlawful non-citizen in a detention centre from $160 per day in 2001-2002 to $273 per day in 2002-2003.

(2) For each of the last five financial years, what sums have been recovered to cover the cost of removing stowaways whose applications for a protection visa failed, and from which supply companies were these sums recovered.

(3) Does the Government attempt to recover the cost of detention and processing of ship jumpers who seek protection, including the cost of removing them from Australia if their applications for protection visas fail; if not, why not.

Mr Hardgrave (Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister) —The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) The increase in the average cost of detention is directly related to the changes in the detainee population at detention facilities and a loss of economies of scale. Also as a proportion of the current detainee population has been in detention for long periods of time the cost of intensively managing the individual cases results in further increases in cost.

(2) Statistical reports on stowaways are not available prior to October 2000 when new procedures for the recording of stowaways were put in place. A total of 48 stowaways were reported at Australia's sea border during the period 1 July 2001 to 29 February 2004. Of these 48, 31 have since departed, 2 are unlawfully in Australia, 1 was granted a visa and 14 have made applications for Protection Visas (PV). As of the end of February, of those 14 PV applicants, 8 have been granted PVs, 3 are in the process of review and 3 have had their applications refused and have been removed from Australia.

For each of the 3 stowaways who have been removed from Australia, the shipping company responsible for bringing that stowaway to Australia has directly paid the costs of their removal. The companies are Zenith Shipping (2 stowaways) and Dorine Shipping (1 stowaway).

(3) Yes. A deserter who arrives lawfully as a crewmember is individually liable for the costs of their detention and removal. Repayment of a debt to the Commonwealth is a criterion in respect of future visa applications.