Boost drug search powers, make immigration detention ‘last resort’, watchdog says

Watchdog argues drug search powers should be boosted to fix system that is not fit for purpose' as home affairs department rejects multiple recommendations

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The Albanese government should abandon mandatory immigration detention and boost drug search powers to help fix a system that is not fit for purpose", the human rights watchdog has warned.

Immigration detention should be time-limited and only be used as a last resort" if a non-citizen is a risk to the Australian community or of absconding, the Australian Human Rights Commission has said.

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