Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

There has been a HREOC finding of a breach of someone’s human rights at Curtin Immigration Reception and Processing Centre. I understand that the finding is that the continued accommodation of an adult female detainee in a compound of single adult males in 2002 was culturally insensitive and was inconsistent with her human rights. My department acknowledges the inappropriateness of this accommodation and certainly regrets that it did not take action to move this detainee to a more appropriate compound at the time. There were allegations of assault and at the time these were referred to the Federal Police and to the Western Australian Police Service. After investigation, they were not taken further.

DIMA is soon to trial a new client placement model for the immigration detention service network that will ensure the circumstances of high-risk client groups, including where there may be a history of hostility between certain groups—that certainly can be a problem for us still, not related peculiarly to either Curtin or Woomera which are no longer used—are taken into consideration when determining detention accommodation arrangements and other detention service requirements. DIMA did accept the recommendation that compensation is warranted in this case. Arrangements for payment of the compensation are in progress and I am advised that a letter of apology has been sent.

Senator, I will have a look at your question to see whether you sought any further information which is not in the brief. I cannot see any reason why there would be any that I cannot give you. I will give you everything I can.