Sunday, 21 December 2014
Every illegal maritime arrival child on Christmas Island has now been transferred to the mainland, consistent with the Government's commitment following the passage of legislation to resolve Labor's asylum legacy caseload, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon. Scott Morrison said today.
"Not only are children no longer arriving after dangerous illegal boat journeys, the Government's successful border protection policies have enabled us to return to a situation where no more children are detained on Christmas Island," Minister Morrison said.
"A total of 194 people in family groups, including 94 children, were transferred on three separate charter flights from Christmas Island over the last week.
"These families are now being accommodated at the Bladin Point facility in Darwin while arrangements continue to release them into the community.
"It has always been the Government's policy to place as many children into the community as possible, especially young children.
"The Government has been reducing the number of children in held detention across the country since coming to office. The number of children on Christmas Island had already dramatically reduced by 75 per cent.
"There is also now a 50 per cent reduction in child detainees across all centres, including offshore processing, due to our successful border protection policies.
"More than 80 per cent of children are resident in the community, either on bridging visas or under residence determinations.
"The Government is getting on with fixing Labor's mess. July 2013 was the peak for children in immigration detention with almost 2000 accommodated under Labor's failed policies.
"A record more than 8000 children arrived on illegal boats under the previous government. In July last year a baby was among 18 people who died at sea in attempts to reach Australia illegally by boat.
"The children and their families transferred from Christmas Island will now form part of the legacy caseload.
"Those transferred to offshore processing centres will continue to be assessed by the Governments of Nauru and Papua New Guinea in accordance with the agreements signed with both countries," Minister Morrison said.
URL:http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/sm/2014/sm220267.htm
Last update: Monday, 22 December 2014 at 09:22 AEST