There have been significant improvements at the Woomera centre during the last year and plans for further improvements are well advanced. There has also been significant re-engineering of protection visa application processing to expedite the process as far as possible. I table a detailed commentary on the recommendations. I will come back later to Mr Flood's examination of the many allegations of child abuse that surfaced late last year. The policies give expression to Australia's long-standing and proven compassion and welcome for genuine refugees.
Policies also reflect the conviction that Australia has the right to decide who enters Australia.
They also reflect other concerns including maintenance of Australia's high health standards, prudence about the escalating cost of providing accommodation and facilities for unlawful entrants, disapproval of smugglers duping people about entry to Australia and concerns about the attempted manipulation of our compassion by criminals and terrorists. Mr Flood is in a unique position to make such an assessment. He has had a long and distinguished career, including as a former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and as a former High Commissioner in London. He is very familiar with the complexities of public policy and administration. His report also recognises the complexities of the international phenomenon confronting the Government and my Department.