‘Is it Torture?’, the author draws parallels between Ursula K. Le Guin’s ‘The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’ and Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers. In Omelas, societal prosperity hinges on the suffering of a single child, a scenario mirroring Australia’s detention of asylum seekers, where systemic abuse is often overlooked by the general populace. The chapter investigates whether Australia’s practices constitute torture under international law. It references the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which defines torture as the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain by or with the consent of public officials for purposes such as coercion or punishment. The author argues that Australia’s detention policies, characterised by indefinite confinement, psychological degradation and physical mistreatment, meet this definition. Reports from medical professionals and human rights organisations support claims of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment within these facilities. Through interviews with medical professionals who have treated detainees, the chapter highlights the profound psychological and physical impacts of detention. These experts describe environments designed to break individuals’ spirits, leading to severe mental health issues and, in some cases, self-harm or suicide. The chapter emphasises the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare providers working within such a system and critiques the broader societal complicity in perpetuating these human rights abuses. In conclusion, the chapter challenges readers to confront the moral implications of Australia’s detention policies, questioning the societal willingness to accept such measures in the name of national security. It calls for a re-evaluation of these practices to prevent further harm to vulnerable populations seeking asylum.