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

The government does have a mental health advisory group who provide advice to the government on these matters. As Minister Bowen has stated, the government has suitable healthcare programs in detention facilities. I am advised that, in light of the increasing number of people in immigration detention and concerns that this may result in increasing numbers of clients experiencing mental health issues, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has increased mental health support at places of immigration detention. The advice that I have is that the minister is confident that the range of healthcare services, including mental health support, currently available to people who are in immigration detention centres is superior to that provided in the past while remaining commensurate with those available within the broader Australian community. The government is concerned about these issues and is providing the necessary support— (Time expired)