FED:Mandatory detention 'essential': Bowen

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2011
FED:Mandatory detention 'essential': Bowen

The federal government is standing firm on its support for mandatory detention of boat
people despite immigration department boss ANDREW METCALFE publicly raising doubts about
the policy.

In an unusual move for a senior public servant, Mr METCALFE has urged a parliamentary
committee to reconsider whether mandatory detention worked as a deterrent and how long
boat people should be incarcerated.

Mr METCALFE has also urged the committee of Labor, Liberal and Greens MPs and senators,
to consider whether some boat arrivals could be managed differently.

Opposition spokesman SCOTT MORRISON says the comments could be seen to cast doubt on
the government's commitment to mandatory detention, but a spokesman for Immigration Minister
CHRIS BOWEN says mandatory detention is an essential component of border control.

AAP RTV ag/bwl/wz

KEYWORD: DETENTION (CANBERRA)

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