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Media

Verify the facts

The West Australian - 17 April 2002

Dear Sir/Madam

It is disappointing The West Australian (Camp's young suffer: report, 17 April) has made no attempt to incorporate statements by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) into its coverage of the Woomera detention centre assessment report provided by South Australian Department of Human Services (DHS).

DIMIA facilitated access to the Woomera detention facility for the South Australian Department of Human Services (DHS) in good faith to assess the well-being and care of children in the centre.

The report received by DIMIA from DHS is confidential and contains material, which would allow for the identification of individuals, and the Privacy Act prevents disclosure of such material. In the Memorandum of Understanding, both DIMIA and DHS agreed not to release confidential information, so it is somewhat surprising parts of the report have been released to the media, especially when the report contains inaccuracies not checked with the Department.

Allow me to address a number of inaccuracies in the report perpetuated in The West Australian.

  • Assertions that parents are not allowed to feed young children outside set meal times are incorrect. The dining room at the centre is open for detainees from 7.00 - 9.00am, 12.30 - 2.30pm and 6.30 - 9.00pm. In addition, fruit and biscuits are readily available, baby and toddler food is available outside of meal times upon request, every accommodation block has a fridge where food, including milk, can be stored by detainees for accessibility during the day.

  • Assertions relating to ante and post natal services and immunisation are inaccurate. There are ante natal clinics every Wednesday and post natal clinics each Thursday which are conducted by a registered midwife. The current arrangement for any pregnant woman in a remote location in SA, including detainees, is that at 36 weeks they are moved to motel like accommodation in an arrangement with Whyalla or Port Augusta hospital for the rest of their confinement. There are two community midwives who monitor their condition during this time. All detainees are given access to immunisations as per State health policy with an immunisation clinic run every Tuesday. Children are immunised only with consent from their guardian.

  • Reports of lack of proper bedding for very young toddlers are false. Some parents choose to place mattresses on the floor, however new born babies are provided with a bassinette and when they are older they are issued with a cot. Strollers are also provided.

  • Assertions that education facilities are limited and inadequate are inaccurate. Education programs are available to all detainees including children. The Department encourages children in detention, their parents and other detainees to access all available education services. The premises of an unused Primary School in the Woomera township are currently being utilised for education of minors from the centre. All minors are taught a curriculum based on literacy and numeracy skills. Qualified teachers run classes Monday to Thursday. Kindergym and Playgroup are available for one to four-year-olds for motor skills and pre-school development. After School and Kids clubs support the education program.

  • Contrary to claims in the article that the report covered 47 families, it in fact actually covered 11 family groups consisting of 47 detainees.

As is the normal procedure, DIMIA will consider the report in full and respond where appropriate, taking into account the best interests of the child.

Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs