Minister welcomes HREOC report
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today welcomed the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) report on conditions in immigration detention facilities.
While the report acknowledges that improvements have been made for many people held in detention, Senator Evans said significant problems still exist as a result of the Howard Government’s mishandling of immigration and detention matters.
Senator Evans said that one of his first priorities as Minister was to visit the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in December, 2007.
'I agree with the HREOC report that conditions in Stage 1 of the Villawood centre are not acceptable and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship will examine options to improve the facility,' Senator Evans said.
'I have also asked the department to provide me with a comprehensive response to the criticisms outlined in the report.'
The Minister said it was important to note that there were currently 107 detainees – about one fifth of all detainees – housed in residential or community facilities rather than in detention centres.
Senator Evans said he would be meeting the Commonwealth Ombudsman shortly to discuss issues relating to immigration and detention facilities.
'There are a number of immigration and detention matters that need resolving as a consequence of the mishandling and political meddling by a succession of Howard Government ministers,' Senator Evans said.
'We need to fix these problems.'
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08002.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST