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Thursday, 12 May 2011
Page: 3961

Asylum Seekers

(Question No. 95)

Mr Morrison asked the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, in writing, on 22 November 2010:

How many days above the Government's 90 day target have (a) Sri Lankan; and (b) Afghan asylum seekers been in detention as a consequence of the processing suspension announced on 9 April 2010 and what is the total sum of the additional costs incurred by the extended detention in parts (a) and (b).

Mr Bowen: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

While there are no statutory requirements to process asylum claims for irregular maritime arrivals within a prescribed timeframe, the 90 day statutory timeframe for assessment of onshore protection claims has been used as a standard operating guide for the Refugee Status Assessment (RSA) process.

The 90 day target is calculated from the time the Department receives a Refugee Status Assessment request.

As at 23 November 2010, the average number of days Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals subject to the suspension were in detention was 188 days, 107 of which were taken up with RSA processing. This is 17 days above the 90 day processing target.

As at 23 November 2010, the average number of days Afghan irregular maritime arrivals subject to the suspension were in detention was 177 days, 54 of which were taken up with RSA processing. This is within the 90 day processing target.

The cost of detention is dependant on the specific circumstances of each detainee and as such the costs of the suspension cannot be adequately estimated.