Aust.: DIMIA's latest bungles will cost millions

DIMIA's latest bungles will cost millions.

Reports that an Australian man who was wrongfully deported to Turkey three years ago after spending three years in prison is seeking $600,000 in compensation from the Government is a sign of more payouts to come, Australian Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said today.

"I know of at least three more cases where long term permanent residents have been wrongfully deported and are languishing overseas.

Minister Vanstone should come clean and reveal how many more people
DIMIA has wrongfully deported in recent years" Senator Nettle said.

"The Department of Immigration's (DIMIA) attitude of 'deport first, compensate later' is a massive financial burden on the community.

"Under the leadership of Ministers Ruddock and Vanstone, DIMIA has ruined lives across the country with the rest of us picking up the tab.

"For all the talk of DIMIA undergoing cultural change, it is clear that the Department continues to be directed to evade responsibility.

"The DIMIA bungles and destruction of people's lives will only end when the Federal Government makes substantial changes to Australia's migration laws, by abolishing mandatory detention and abandoning its focus on deportations.

"The Greens look forward to the day when the Government actually embraces DIMIA's new slogan and really does 'put people first." Senator Nettle said.

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