The arrival of two boatloads of asylum seekers is the first test of Labor’s new detention policy, writes Michelle Dimasi on Christmas Island on our partner website, Inside Story.

This new database provides comprehensive and comparative information on a broad range of demographic and labour market characteristics of immigrants living in OECD countries. The DIOC includes information on demographic characteristics (age and gender), duration of stay, labour market outcomes (labour market status, occupations, sectors of activity), fields of study, educational attainment and the place...

In 2005 and 2006 the Australian Government asked the Ombudsman to investigate 247 immigration detention cases. Eight published reports contain the results of those investigations. The purpose of this new report is to draw together ten lessons from the referred immigration reports that are relevant to all areas of government. The administrative problems and errors...

Asylum seekers go through an extensive assessment process in Australia. Those who are found not to be refugees are removed from Australia by process of law. For those who are seriously ill, removal is a particularly distressing event, leading to a future heavy with the suffering of untreated or under-treated illness.

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.