My cousin Bernard Lee is currently being detained in the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam due to an error made by the Australian Department of Immigration. We have been told he could be there for weeks to months, or indefinitely if he appeals the department's decision. 

Bernard moved to Perth from Greystones, Ireland, when he was 18 years old. He has since lived and worked legally in Western Australia for the last seven years. He has lived with myself and our family, Irish and Australian friends, and now lives with his Australian partner in Highgate. 

This year, Bernard applied for a new employer-sponsored residents' visa. On Monday 25th July, he was arrested by armed police and immigration officers at his home; officers claimed he had been issued a letter refusing his visa application and cancelling his current business visa, and he was now in breach of the 20-day period to leave the country. Neither Bernard, nor his immigration lawyer, have received such a letter; so we were stunned that he was taken to the Yongah Hills Immigration Detention Centre in Northam, 90km northeast of Perth. Bernard has been detained since Monday, with my mother (his aunt) the only visitor allowed to see him and deliver some of his personal belongings today - three days later.

Here's the catch; officers from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection have admitted they made a mistake, and no letter as described was ever issued to Bernard or his lawyer! However, they have no intention to release him.  

Another irony; Bernard booked a ticket back to Ireland months ago... the flight departs next Wednesday 3rd August. His partner is currently in Europe on holiday, and he had arranged to meet her in Ireland to join in celebrations of his brother's recent engagement. However, Bernard's lawyer says that, based on his experience of the Australian immigration system, he believes it is most unlikely that Bernard will be allowed to take his flight out of Australia and instead will be incarcerated for weeks or months.

Officials from DIBP advise that his release will likely take 8 - 12 weeks to process. This is at a cost to Australian taxpayers estimated at $2,500 per week! As per Australia's Migration Act 1958, citizens who do not hold a valid visa in Australia must be removed "as soon as reasonably practicable". It is therefore ridiculous that the DIBP would detain Bernard for this absurd amount of time, when he has a ticket booked home next Wednesday that he is more than willing to take. 

Yongah Hills Detention Centre is also renowned for recent violent brawls involving detainees, who range from convicted criminals, asylum seekers, to illegal immigrants. Last September, a 40-year old man doused himself in petrol and set himself alight after being held there for eight months. This is not a safe place for anyone to be, physically or mentally; let alone someone who is the victim of a departmental error. 

We, the undersigned, are appealing to the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, and Shadow Immigration Minister Shayne Neumann to release Bernard Lee from unjust detention and let him return to Ireland next Wednesday, 3rd August, as planned.