Comment Not 'free' to leave Australia... (Score 1) 337
Australia has exit border control. You have to contact immigration even if you leave by boat. They will ask you your itinerary, residences overseas, and contacts overseas.
You can be prevented from leaving if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and the authorities think you'll be negatively affecting Australia's international interests while abroad.
You can also be arrested and placed in detention if you don't have a valid visa (even if you're leaving!)
So no, the idea of a western country keeping people in, or tabs on them when they leave, is not unheard of.