Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

All of these things have a history. I might remind the senator who asked the question what Mr Ruddock drew to our attention on 9 May 2000. He said:

To relieve the pressure on existing facilities the government has decided to implement a long-term strategy that will see new centres established and older facilities upgraded. This will ensure that there is sufficient appropriate accommodation for detainees in the future and that Australian staff who have care of these people have satisfactory working conditions.

These were the words he used when he was announcing the reopening of the Curtin centre in Western Australia and the establishment of Woomera facility in South Australia. So, Senator, I suggest you do a bit of reading before you announce these sorts of pathetic attempts to— (Time expired)