The Media's Response

The media response to this issue of arbitrary detention, especially mandatory detention, has been generally critical of the government’s policies. There has been particular focus on the impact that mandatory detention has on the refugees. The media has discussed on suggested solutions to the problems in the immigration system as well as the stories of individuals that highlight the flaws in the system. For example, there was much media attention on German Cornelia Rau in 2005 who was incorrectly identified as an illegal immigrant and was detained arbitrarily. In this an article from The Australian from the 7^th March 2008, the Rau case is displayed as an example of the flaws of the system and despite her being compensated, it does not mean it will not happen again. Another article from the Sydney Morning Herald from October 30^th, 2013 talks about the statistics of the number of asylum seekers being detained. It also talks about the deaths of 5 people in immigration detention. An article from The Conversation website from the 22^nd of May, 2013 also talks about the effects of detention on immigrants and also outlines possible solutions or improvements that could be made to Australia’s immigration system.