Immigration Spent $1.5m Fighting Boy's Stress Suit
The Age
Thursday June 1, 2006
THE Immigration Department spent more than $1.5 million fighting claims that a young Iranian refugee was traumatised while held in detention centres.
The sum does not include the $400,000 paid to Shayan Badraie, 11, in an out-of-court settlement after months of hearings in the NSW Supreme Court, or the costs of the child's lawyer, which are expected to top $1 million.Shayan received the payout in March after his lawyers sued the Immigration Department, claiming that he was psychologically harmed while living in Woomera and Villawood detention centres between 2000 and 2002.Shayan was five years old when he witnessed suicide attempts, self-harm and abuse in both detention centres. He developed post-traumatic stress disorder and spent 94 days in hospital after refusing to eat, drink or talk. His family, who arrived as asylum seekers from Iran in 2000, were this year granted permanent residency in Australia.Responding to a question on notice, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday revealed that the department spent $1.53 million in legal costs on Shayan's case. -- JEWEL TOPSFIELD
© 2006 The Age