By DENNIS SHANAHAN and NICOLE STRAHAN

06feb02

SIMON Crean has moved to contain divisions within the ALP over illegal immigrants -- endorsing the Government's mandatory detention system and warning Labor MPs that public slanging matches damage the party.

Facing the prospect of leading a divided team against a triumphant third-term Howard Government, the new Opposition Leader has imposed his authority on the Labor front bench.

At the year's first shadow cabinet meeting and only days before parliament's first sitting since the November election, Mr Crean warned colleagues to respect each other's positions and responsibilities.

He emerged from the meeting in Victoria's Gippsland claiming there was unanimous support for retaining mandatory detention of illegal immigrants.

But while Labor believed detention should be retained as part of a tough border protection policy, there needed to be a compassionate approach.

"We believe policy reform does need to take place, and it's the unanimous view of (shadow) cabinet that we can have a policy which is both tough on border protection but compassionate," Mr Crean said.

The Opposition Leader earlier told the ABC: "I believe we have to retain mandatory detention, but I think we have to improve the pace and rate at which people are processed."

The Government's handling of illegal immigrants and treatment of detainees has caused uproar within the ALP, with frontbencher Carmen Lawrence declaring she was ashamed she and her colleagues had not spoken out earlier. Backbenchers have called for an end to the bipartisan approach to detention.

But yesterday Mr Crean insisted his deputy, Jenny Macklin, who is in charge of a policy review, and Labor's immigration spokeswoman Julia Gillard would take the lead in shaping Labor policy.

Asked why Labor would not consider a review of mandatory detention in light of its commitment to a compassionate approach to asylum-seekers, Ms Gillard said: "Every system that I have looked at ... indicates there needs to be some form of mandatory system overseas. It is essential for identity checking, for security checking and for health checking.

"It will remain our view that mandatory detention is required for such purposes."

Mr Crean said the Opposition would develop its tough but compassionate policy, push for a US-style coastguard and international agreements to stem the flow of boatpeople.

He said the full shadow ministry and the parliamentary Labor caucus would be able to discuss the issue next week before parliament resumed on Tuesday.

A showdown over Dr Lawrence's public condemnation of Labor's policy was avoided at the meeting yesterday because she was ill and could not attend.

But Mr Crean pointedly called for Labor MPs to "have respect for other people's positions" and warned frontbenchers to consult colleagues where their responsibilities overlapped.

He also challenged John Howard to secure agreements with Indonesia on illegal immigration to stop the flow of asylum-seekers to Australia.

The Opposition would review the idea of a "one-stop shop" appeal process for refugees to end the "endless rights of appeal" under the current system, he said.

"The difficulty with this issue is that it overlaps a number of portfolios and all I am asking is that they consult with their colleagues before making statements," he said.

Ms Gillard, who has just returned from a tour of detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island with Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock, described conditions as adequate but difficult.