A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has welcomed the High Court decision against a plan by the Federal government to send asylum seekers from Australia to Malaysia.

 

In a six to one ruling, the full bench of the High Court effectively ruled on Wednesday 31 August that the plan was invalid.

 

A specialist in the protection and welfare of children and young people, Mr Neil Barber is a lecturer with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

 

Mr Barber said, “In its ruling, the High Court acknowledged and reinforced the obligations Australia has to unaccompanied minors who seek asylum under the United Nations (UN)Convention and protocol relating to the status of Refugees, the  UN Convention on Torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and  the International Covenant on Social and Political Rights, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

“Critically, the High Court found the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship must examine every individual case and ensure the best interests of children and young people in this circumstance are paramount.

 

“It is good to see that the young people already in detention on Christmas Island will be starting school, and also that several community agencies have offered family-based care for these young people.

 

“It is critical that they do not remain in detention settings for any longer than necessary.”

 

Read more about Mr Barber’s criticism of the so-called Malaysian solution on CSU News here.