A plan to move asylum seekers from Christmas Island to the West Australian goldfields town of Leonora is met with resistance. 90 asylum seekers in the coming days will be moved to an abandoned mining camp near Leonora, more than 800 km northeast of Perth. The move has come under fire from refugee status and interest West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, who is concerned about the impact of isolation and extreme weather events will have on asylum seekers.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young agrees and says that the accommodation is not suitable.
“It seems that the Rudd Government wants more of an out-of-sight to take out-of-mind approach instead of really dealing with the struggles and problems relating to asylum seekers,” she said.
“It really is a strong example of the fact that the government simply has an eye turned to the need for a compassionate response and a humane approach to asylum seekers.”
However, the member State of Kalgoorlie, John Bowler dimissed claims Leonora is not suitable.
“It’s a nice town, got great facilities, great people. Leonora is a good fit for this, it will be good for Leonora and they will be good for Leonora,” he said.
Mr Bowler says it will inject millions of dollars in the city.
“I’ve heard that you know that 4 to 5 million U.S. dollars a year, whatever it is, it’s money, the wages of its services.
‘Leonora’s economy is pretty good, but this makes it even better. ”
The government says the move is only a temporary solution and will continue to cooperate with the government of liability for other long-term detention centers to adopt.
source:abc.net.au
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