Inside Australia's Immigration Detention

I heard that someone escaped from MITA (Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation) a few days ago.  As of today, Villawood started a pat search when a detainee goes to and comes back from the Visits. I guess the escape from MITA involved a visitor and the ABF went crazy.  Oh dear.  Villawood has always been worse than prison but it really is even now.  What's the point of searching a detainee when going from the compound to see a visitor?  There is nothing in the compound because the centre does not allow anything to get into the compound.  Can anybody tell the ABF to use their brain?  Oh, they don't have one?  That's a bit of a problem. Today, someone from my compound got a visa.  It is the first day of the year but someone in the Immigration started working and decided to grant a visa.  That's a good start, I think.

I am not happy. The coffee shop in the Community is not open.  Still closed because there is no worker.  I thought there were plenty of applicants for that job, plus me.  I whinged about it to another detainee and was told that the security check usually takes a few weeks.  Security check?!!!!!  Just to make a coffee in a shop in the detention centre doesn't need a security check, does it?!!!!   It's just making espresso coffee!  Not brewing beer, you know?  What the hell is the security check for?!!!  I was amazed.   The detainee said that a barista handles boiling water so it is dangerous.  Well, boilers are in the dining rooms and we're always using them.  I have not seen or heard any accident or incident. We have kettles in the kitchen, too.  What's the difference?  Everybody here was well tested for that kind of risk.  Gee... There was another bewildering story.  One detaine...

I knocked off my submissions today.  I may try a minor tune-up later.   But basically, it's done.  It's only 7 pages, the shortest submissions  I have ever written for the Federal Court.  It is about a half of the  normal/standard length even though I generously included extra stuff  which I really don't need.  I may get rid of the extra when I tune-up  later.  Then it'll be even shorter....  Well, it is a simple stupid case.  It does not need much argument.  But I am a bit worried.  Did I miss something???  I  cannot think of.  But I am getting worried... The Minister's lawyers responded to the Court.  It is quicker than I  thought.  They do not oppose an order of a pro bono referral to be  made in chambers.  Of course.  But then the judge became quiet.  There  were full court  sittings last week so he could be flying anywhere  today.  I hop...