Cornelia Rau scandal tip of iceberg

Rau inquiry must be public: Labor

Australia: "The Federal Opposition says an investigation into why a mentally ill woman was held in custody at the Baxter detention centre in South Australia must be held in public ...

"Sydney woman Cornelia Rau was held in a Queensland prison for six months before being transferred to the Baxter detention centre where she was held for a further four months.

"Labor's immigration spokesman, Laurie Ferguson, says the inquiry must not take place behind closed doors."
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PM refuses to apologise to Rau

Baxter? What is it?
So what's the fuss? What is the Baxter detention centre?

Slap-bang in the middle of one of the world's hottest deserts, Baxter is a facility (prison)built by the Australian federal government for holding asylum seekers, some of whom have been languishing there for years. Cornelia Rau should not have been imprisoned there (because she is an Australian citizen, and was listed for months as a missing person). On the other hand ... nobody should be imprisoned there. From all accounts, if you're not crazy when they throw you in Baxter, you will be by the time you get out.

Read about Baxter, Australia's shame

"Present policies of Mandatory Detention, Forced Deportations and ‘border protection’ represent an attack on fundamental principles of human rights and justice. They represent an unprecedented politicisation and corporatisation of the military and public services. They are inflicting appalling suffering on children and adults with long lasting psychological damage. These policies are designed to appeal to and incite racism and fear."
Source: Easter 2005 Baxter convergence - be there if you can!

Google up some Baxter