Isolated from the wider community, many suffer from depression, while others are frustrated about long delays. Many also have legitimate grievances over their treatment at the centre, run by the private security firm Australasian Correctional Management. As reported last week in The Australian, dozens of detainees at Curtin have been sent to Derby jail for daring to speak out. Others have been put into solitary. Former human rights commissioner Chris Sidoti also raised concerns last year at the refusal of Curtin management to advise new arrivals of their rights.
Perception plays a key role in the immigration program.
Mr Ruddock's decision to set aside 200 places for former members of the South Lebanese Army may be justified if they are genuine refugees and not war criminals. But the decision also smacks of Lebanese Christians gaining preferential treatment over Muslims from other conflict-ridden countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Then there is the case of Shahraz Kayani, who set himself alight outside Parliament House on Monday, prompting expressions of regret from Mr Ruddock, but little else. Mr Kayani's Australian relatives claim that by caring for the girl at home, the costs to Australia would be minimal. It is an offer Mr Ruddock should consider.