Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not apologise for providing people in immigration detention with a level of health care and support that is commensurate with the broader community. These are not new costs and they are accounted for in the wider detention budget. We have always acknowledged that detention is expensive, and the healthcare contracts reflect the increase in boat arrivals.

The cheaper option, and the government's preferred policy, is a successful arrangement with Malaysia. But Mr Abbott's negativity is preventing offshore processing, as senators opposite well know. If the coalition were truly concerned about the cost of immigration detention, they would stop playing negative politics and work with the government to re-establish offshore processing and stop people from getting onto the boats in the first place. We want to see people remain in detention for as little time as possible. We want to ensure that they are treated humanely and that they have appropriate access to health and mental health care. The services contracted by the immigration department include comprehensive mental health screening and support services to address those people in need.