The Wire

The Federal Government today announced significant changes to mandatory detention. Minister for Immigration Chris Evans said that detention will now only be used as a last resort. Under the new rules, only people posing a threat to the community will be held in detention whilst awaiting a final decision on their application. Mandatory detention will still be applied to boat people, who will be kept on Christmas Island for health, identity and security checks. Refugee advocacy groups have welcomed the Governments decision to honor its commitments to human rights. At a press conference this morning, Minister Evans outlined the policy changes.