Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thought I had answered that question. Can I just say that we have a range of contingencies on the island to deal with increased numbers, some of which we have already brought online. We also have a range of other contingencies that we can use. Obviously the numbers vary. Some people are returned. I think we have had 119 or so people returned to their country of origin when they were found not to be refugees. Six men were returned to Sri Lanka on the weekend, so they are no longer accommodated on Christmas Island. We also have people resettled—people found to be refugees who come off the island. I would make clear to you that it is our intention to accommodate people on Christmas Island. I have made it clear for months that we have the Northern Immigration Detention Centre in Darwin if required, but we have the capacity and increased capacity on Christmas Island to deal with the current numbers. That is our first preference. We think that these recent arrivals will be accommodated there. (Time expired)