Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. Can the minister advise the Senate of the current capacity, how many people are currently held and how many people can be further accommodated at the Manus Island detention centre?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not have the statistics on me at this present point in time; however, I will obtain a brief and provide them to the senator at the end of question time.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can you also advise us of the current capacity, how many people are currently held and how many people can be further accommodated at the Blaydin Point detention centre in Darwin?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to the Blaydin Point detention centre I will provide the actual statistics to you. However, in relation to the onshore detention centres, the government takes the position that it will update and look at capacity on an as-needed basis, and at this present point in time we do not need to do that.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. In the information she subsequently provides, could the minister also advise the Senate of the current capacity, how many people are currently held and how many people can be further accommodated, at all onshore and offshore detention centres?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will take the question on notice and provide the information to the senator.