community detention code for free housing

I didn't know asylumseeker families received a furnished house and the dole as part of "community detention" package.
Oh how draconian!!!!
Now the free housing is being taken away and refugee advocates don't like it.

Read what this one says......

Families released on bridging visas

The Minister’s announcement yesterday, that families will now be released from detention on bridging visas represents a subtle but also significant change in government policy. It will certainly have significant implications for organisations such as the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC). Previously thegovernment released families from detention centres into the community under a system referred to as community detention. Essentially those families under community detention, while not allowed to work, are provided with a furnished house, have basic amenities covered (including school uniforms) and a small sum of money to cover other essentials.

With an increase in the number of families arriving by boat, however, it would appear the government cannot continue to place all families into community detention and hence the announcement that families will now also be released on bridging visas, in the same way single men are currently released. These bridging visas provide a small amount of financial assistance, 89% of the basic
Centrelink payment and after an initial 4 to 6 weeks of accommodation they are expected to find their own housing. Given the cost of housing single men often form group houses. It is difficult to see how families will be able to do the same.

As well as issues relating to housing, without the ability to work many will face ongoing destitution and will call on the services of organations such as the Asylum Seekers Centre to survive. The ASC has already seen an increase in the single men released on these visas approaching it for support. The fact that the
processing of their claims has not yet begun (with no time frame set as to when this might happen) further exacerbates the anxiety they are experiencing. This is already impacting on the mental health of people who have fled traumatic situations in their home country. Without appropriate support these families will needlessly suffer and the long-term implications for children in particular will be dire.

Dr Graham Thom
ASC Board member