Via Domainfax:
The Australian government has agreed to compensate 1900 asylum seekers currently or formerly held at the Manus Island detention centre, in what may be Australia’s largest ever human rights-related settlement.
Lawyers Slater and Gordon confirmed the Commonwealth had agreed to reach a conditional settlement of $70 million plus costs, to be distributed to asylum seekers based on the length of their detention and severity of their alleged injuries.
It’s understood costs will exceed $20 million.
The Victorian Supreme Court this morning heard the parties had reached an in-principle agreement to settle the claim on behalf of 1905 current former detainees, though the settlement was not yet formally approved.
In settling the case, the government will avoid a long and potentially damaging trial, which was set to last about six months and reveal explosive claims about life and conditions at the Manus Island regional processing centre.
Add another $90m to the cost of the government’s immigration bait and switch that bashes refugees to distract from the massive economic immigration coming through the front door that is designed to kill wages and support house prices.
