In this e-brief Sue Harris-Rimmer summarises recent developments and key issues in legal debates about refugee and immigration law in Australia. She provides links to web sites and material covering reports, case law, inquiries and legislation.

In this e-brief Janet Phillips and Adrienne Millbank summarise recent developments and key issues in the debate about mandatory detention in Australia. They provide links to web sites and material covering detention policy and practice in Australia, and detention and removal policies and practices in the UK and other comparable countries.

There are currently between 8,000-10,000 asylum seekers living in the Australian community awaiting decisions at different stages of their applications for protection visas and appeals procedures. Many of these asylum seekers are BVE holders and as such are denied work-rights, income support, and access to Medicare services. Some 750-900 such asylum seekers are estimated to...

The debate on the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia, and elsewhere, often makes reference to cost impacts. This report from Justice for Asylum Seekers (a coalition which includes the Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace) considers cost evidence for alternative accommodation and security options for asylum seekers, including community management, hostel accommodation and...

Warlords control many areas of Afghanistan and overland travel can be very dangerous, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. It’s just one reason why Afghan refugees shouldn’t be forced to return, says Peter Mares.