'Children In Detention' Inquiry must look at health
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that any inquiry into the conditions of children in immigration detention centres in Australia should look closely at the factors in the detention environment that have negative impacts on the health - both physical and mental - of these children.
Dr Phelps was responding to reports that the Human Rights Commissioner is set to announce an inquiry based on Australia's obligations as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
"The serious question is whether children should be detained at all, or allowed into the community with appropriate care while their applications are processed," Dr Phelps said.
"Rapid processing is essential and achievable, as proved by the system in places like Sweden where children are held for a maximum of six days and not impounded.
"It is important that family units be maintained where possible and some semblance of normal life provided, particularly education and age-appropriate recreation.
"There is compelling evidence that when the children in detention are separated from their parents, siblings or loved ones, their health deteriorates.
"This can be in the form of depression, stress, eating disorders that can lead to malnutrition, and general poor physical health.
"In circumstances where the parents must stay in detention while the children go into the community, there must be a coordinated and strategic approach to the access of ongoing provision of care for the child.
"For children in detention centres without family, the risks to their health are multiplied. These children should not be in a detention environment at all.
"In situations where children are allowed in the community while awaiting processing of their applications, they should have access to quality health care with temporary Medicare cards."
Dr Phelps said the AMA had raised these issues with Immigration Minister, Philip Ruddock, in August this year. The Minister indicated at the time that he would look into this matter and it is the AMA's understanding that his investigations are underway.
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