2012 marks 20 years since the policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers was introduced by the Keating Government. Today, more than 4000 asylum seekers are being held in immigration detention, 460 of those are children. A recent parliamentary inquiry report into immigration detention, has called for sweeping changes, including recommendations on detention time limits, staff training, and the provision of health services.

Father Frank Brennan SJ AO, is a Jesuit priest, lawyer and human rights advocate. He has written extensively on the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, and has been a harsh critic of the policy of mandatory detention in Australia. Father Brennan is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU) and Professor of Law at the Australian Catholic University.