Claims about children in detention

The Canberra Times - 17 July 2002

Dear Sir,

Once again unsubstantiated claims about detention have been carried in the media with no attempt to check their veracity before publishing (Children live with fear, violence: inquiry, 16 July).

Firstly nobody in detention has died as a result of burns injuries. The only recorded incident involving serious burn injuries occurred last year during an altercation between detainees - immediate medical attention was provided. An ACM officer attending to the altercation also received minor burns.

The ratio of toilet facilities to detainees has never been as low as claimed. For the record, the Port Hedland facility has multiple toilets and bathrooms in all accommodation blocks, while the Woomera and Curtin centres both have multiple toilet and bathroom blocks in each compound.

Detainees have access to the same fresh, running water as the local residents in the communities where the centres are located.

Medical treatment is never denied to detainees and is available at all centres 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dental services are provided and in some instances is flown in where they are not available locally. For example, Port Hedland residents, like detainees, must wait until a visiting dentist arrives at the town. Initial treatment is provided by Centre medical staff.

Finally it is possible that children do witness incidents of violence. However, as in the Australian community, parents are responsible for their children.

It is disappointing your journalist did not check these facts with a simple phone call to the Department.

Jenny Hoskin
Deputy Director
Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs