Gerry Hand

Gerard Leslie Hand (30 June 1942 – 15 November 2023) was an Australian politician, who was a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the seat of Melbourne. He was Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the Third Hawke Ministry, and Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs in the Fourth Hawke Ministry and First Keating Ministry. Hand died in Melbourne on 15 November 2023, at the age of 81.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hand notably clashed with the Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, outspoken Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins, and Perkins resigned from the department in 1988 after being accused of misadministration.

Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
Gerry Hand was the immigration minister who, in 1992, introduced the controversial policy of mandatory detention for illegal arrivals and asylum seekers.

"I believe it is crucial that all persons who come to Australia without prior authorisation not be released into the community. Their release would undermine the Government's strategy for determining their refugee claims or entry claims. Indeed, I believe it is vital to Australia that this be prevented as far as possible. The Government is determined that a clear signal be sent that migration to Australia may not be achieved by simply arriving in this country and expecting to be allowed into the community."

Life after politics
After retiring from politics in 1993, Hand represented Australia before the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and a round table discussion on refugees organised by the Government of Thailand. He was also a member of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group, providing advice to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on the services, accommodation and amenities at the immigration detention centres.

In 1995, the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Robert Ray, suggested Hand as a possible replacement to Barry Jones as President of the ALP but this suggestion never eventuated.