Go Go Georgiou II (update)

A somewhat belated update, but one that had better be made to preserve consistency...

Last Friday week (Jun 17) John Howard announced changes to the mandatory detention policy. He did this to prevent a potentially damaging members' bill being tabled in parliament by Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou. Details of the changes may be found here, and here

In brief, the immigration minister will be given the discretion to release children of asylum seekers, and their parents, into the community. Cases will be monitored by an ombudsman.

It strikes me as astonishing that the minister did not already have this power, and wonder how willingly it will be invoked. As for Howard? He may have decided to change his policy, but don't think for a second that his heart is in it!

Still, it's a start. Maybe the Palmer report will go further!!