Australia's cruel and stupid immigration policies

In a long, descending spiral, we have come now to the late-night knock on the door, a device of dictators everywhere. This is the latest tactic of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs as it goes about the business of cleansing Australia of refugees from East Timor.

Those on the proscribed list who open their doors in the dark will find two officers from the department with a letter bearing the Commonwealth coat of arms. The letter begins thus: "I refer to your application made on 2 March 1995 for a Protection Visa, which was refused on 19 November 2002 and again by the Refugee Review Tribunal on 24 April 2003.

"I have given this matter much thought, but I have decided not to consider the use my non-compellable Ministerial power to grant you a visa under section 417 of the Migration Act 1958.

"You should now make arrangements to leave Australia."

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