New refugee detention centre planned

Issue 

BY DOD ROSHANBIN

BRISBANE — Ross Daniels of Amnesty International told a public meeting here on March 1 that a 200-inmate immigration detention centre is planned for a yet to be revealed Brisbane site.

Daniels also said that the federal ALP's immigration spokesperson Con Sciacca had told him that Labor had "no intention at all" of changing "the bipartisan arrangements for the compulsory detention of people who come here illegally". Daniels noted that in the past two years Australia has not filled its annual intake quota of 12,000 refugees.

The meeting of 150 people, organised by the Refugee Action Collective, was addressed Reverend Peter Kennedy from St Mary's Church and Gwen Charlton from the International Socialist Organisation.

At a RAC organising meeting on March 6 there was strong support for a campaign to stop the construction of the detention centre in Brisbane. A picket of Australasian Correctional Management's Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre at Wacol (which includes an immigration detention unit) will at be held on April 11 at 4pm.

The next meeting of Brisbane RAC is on March 28, 6pm, at the TLC building, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane. Phone Dod on (07) 3831 2644.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.