An investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman into measures taken by the Department of Home Affairs to avoid Australian citizens being placed in immigration detention has revealed there are still gaps in the system.
The Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe (pictured) launched his investigation following a review of the Department’s processes after two Australian citizens were detained in 2017.
Mr Manthorpe reported on the implementation of recommendations made in Vivienne Thom’s independent review of the detentions.
He said the Thom Review made four recommendations all of which were accepted by the Department.
“The investigation enabled us to identify gaps, where, in practice, the Department’s implementation activities had not entirely met its intent or the intent of the relevant recommendation,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“While I acknowledge the Department’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the Thom Review, I consider further improvements are necessary.”
He said the Department and Australian Border Force needed to take further steps to ensure all relevant officers were adequately trained in the requirements for obtaining Australian citizenship; that tools and processes supported officers to lawfully perform their roles; and that quality assurance processes at those points were robust.”
The report made 15 recommendations to the Department that offered specific guidance on ways it could ensure it had implemented the recommendations of the Thom Review effectively.
The Department has accepted all the Ombudsman’s recommendations, 14 in full and one in part.
The Ombudsman’s 61-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
