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

I thank Senator Cash for her question. I am aware that media reports have contained references of the type that she has referred to in her question today. I have noticed, however, that Mr Barnett has safety concerns for Northam, which were covered in an AAP report. He said, ‘I am concerned about the security and safety of the residents of Northam.’ I am advised that Northam was suggested as a site by the Western Australian Premier. He was the one that suggested this site. He said he chose the facility because of, amongst other things, its closeness to emergency facilities in comparison with the existing immigration detention centre at Curtin. That was the Premier of Western Australia who made this suggestion.

What I like about this issue is the glorious luxury that those opposite seek to indulge in when discussing these questions. They are more than happy, in conversation, to make suggestions about the location of facilities of this type but only to make the cheap, snide remarks that we hear today—the sorts of remarks—