This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/14/scott-morrison-close-four-asylum-seeker-detention-centres

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Scott Morrison to close four asylum seeker detention centres on mainland Scott Morrison to close four asylum seeker detention centres on mainland
(about 4 hours later)
The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has announced the closure of four mainland detention centres, which will lead to the transfer of more than 200 detainees to other facilities.The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has announced the closure of four mainland detention centres, which will lead to the transfer of more than 200 detainees to other facilities.
Morrison released a statement on Tuesday that said facilities at Scherger, Port Augusta and Leonora would all close by February. The Pontville facility, which has been empty since September 2013, will also be passed back to the Department of Defence.Morrison released a statement on Tuesday that said facilities at Scherger, Port Augusta and Leonora would all close by February. The Pontville facility, which has been empty since September 2013, will also be passed back to the Department of Defence.
“These sites are remote, relatively small and expensive,” Morrison said. “Immigration detention facilities within the onshore network are designed to be used flexibly to accommodate a range of detainee cohorts. This principle assumes that when operational requirements change, so too will our use of facilities."“These sites are remote, relatively small and expensive,” Morrison said. “Immigration detention facilities within the onshore network are designed to be used flexibly to accommodate a range of detainee cohorts. This principle assumes that when operational requirements change, so too will our use of facilities."
“These facilities were never envisaged as being permanent and due to the rationalisation of the immigration detention network they are no longer required.”“These facilities were never envisaged as being permanent and due to the rationalisation of the immigration detention network they are no longer required.”
The minister said the closing of the facilities would bring "significant financial savings" for the government, saving $7.4m a month. The minister said the closure of the facilities would bring "significant financial savings" to the government of $7.4m a month.
But Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young disputed the minister’s claims about costs.
“[The Coalition's] offshore detention policy is costing Australian taxpayers an extra billion dollars for this financial year. The cost is really phenomenal for their offshore detention.
“Mr Morrison needs to be more upfront with the Australian people as to exactly where those in the camps are going to go. They should be put into community detention, that's the cheapest option,” she said.
She added the minister needed to clarify where the asylum seekers from the facilities would be sent.
“Christmas Island is already crowded, Manus and Nauru are not fit to hold anybody, let alone more people.
“I am quite concerned that the people in the detention centres that are going to be closed are going to be sent further away, and the minister has to clarify where they are going.”
On Tuesday there were also reports of hunger strikes and lip sewing on Christmas Island.
According to the latest immigration detention statistics from November 2013, there were 229 people at Scherger and 20 at Port Augusta. The population at Leonora is not listed, but it can retain a maximum of 210 detainees.According to the latest immigration detention statistics from November 2013, there were 229 people at Scherger and 20 at Port Augusta. The population at Leonora is not listed, but it can retain a maximum of 210 detainees.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.