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Escaping accountability: a case of Australia’s asylum seeker policy

Author

Listed:
  • Ken McPhail
  • Robert Ochoki Nyamori
  • Savitri Taylor

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to address two questions: first, what contracts, instruments and accounting activities constitute Australia’s offshore asylum seeker processing policy in practice? Second, how are notions of legitimacy and accountability mediated through the network constituted by this policy? Design/methodology/approach - – The paper is located in the critical interpretivist approach to accounting research. It is based on an exhaustive documentary analysis. Policy documents, contract documents, records of parliamentary inquiries (Hansard) and legislation were analysed drawing on a network policy perspective. Findings - – The paper finds that the Australian Government has sought to escape its accountability obligations by employing a range of approaches. The first of these approaches is the construction of a network involving foreign states, private corporations and non-government organizations. The second is through a watered down accountability regime and refusal to be accountable for the day-to-day life of asylum seekers in offshore processing centres through a play with the meaning of “effective control”. Yet while the policy network seems designed to create accountability gaps, the requirement within the network to remain financially accountable undermines the governments claims not to be responsible for the conditions in the detention camps. Research limitations/implications - – The paper focuses largely on the period starting from when Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister to the death in Papua New Guinea of asylum seeker Reza Barati on 17 February 2014. Earlier periods are beyond the scope of this paper. Practical implications - – The paper will result in the identification of deficiencies inhuman rights accountability for extra-territorialized and privatised immigration detention and may contribute towards the formulation of effective policy recommendations to overcome such deficiencies. The paper also provides empirical data on, and academic understanding of, immigration detention outsourcing and offshoring. Social implications - – The paper will inform debate regarding treatment of unauthorized maritime arrivals and asylum seekers generally. Originality/value - – The paper provides the first detailed and full understanding of the way Australia’s offshore asylum seeker processing policy is practiced. The paper also provides an empirical analysis of the way national policy and its associated accountability mechanisms emerge in response to the competing legitimacy claims of the international community and national electorate.

Suggested Citation

  • Ken McPhail & Robert Ochoki Nyamori & Savitri Taylor, 2016. "Escaping accountability: a case of Australia’s asylum seeker policy," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(6), pages 947-984, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:v:29:y:2016:i:6:p:947-984
    DOI: 10.1108/AAAJ-03-2014-1639
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pianezzi, Daniela & Ashraf, Muhammad Junaid, 2022. "Accounting for ignorance: An investigation into corruption, immigration and the state," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    2. Ejiogu, Amanze & Ejiogu, Chibuzo & Ambituuni, Ambisisi, 2019. "The dark side of transparency: Does the Nigeria extractive industries transparency initiative help or hinder accountability and corruption control?," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(5).
    3. Mladovsky, Philipa, 2023. "Mental health coverage for forced migrants: Managing failure as everyday governance in the public and NGO sectors in England," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    4. Annette Quayle & Johanne Grosvold & Larelle Chapple, 2019. "New modes of managing grand challenges: Cross-sector collaboration and the refugee crisis of the Asia Pacific," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(4), pages 665-686, November.
    5. Walaa Wahid ElKelish*, 2023. "Accounting for Corporate Human Rights: Literature Review and Future Insights," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 33(2), pages 203-226, June.

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