Detention centre still remote, isolated but slowly gets better

While Amnesty International representatives visited detainees in Curtin Detention Centre last week amid repeated calls for the centre to be closed, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship hosted a forum of 60 Derby locals in the name of “transparency” regarding the centre and its operations.

Amnesty International’s Refugee Co-ordinator Dr Graham Thom told the Broome Advertiser the centre remained extremely remote and there were problems with communication.

“There is limited internet access and we’re told it’s very slow and there are 40 odd phones…out in the heat…for 900 people. Of a bunch of 15 phones, four might be working,” he said.

Mr Thom said there had however, been changes for the better at Curtin since Amnesty’s last visit 14 months ago, not long after the centre was reopened.

“We were pleased some things had happened since,” Dr Thom said.

“The detainees are now able to plant flowers and vegetables, at least that’s something to keep them active and sane.”

Dr Thom said the detainees were also being given opportunities to interact with Derby community, for example, by volunteering at a local nursing home.

“I think it’s very positive … these people aren’t just locked up and demonised … and Derby people can see the human face of who they are, vulnerable people just seeking refuge,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the forum last Wednesday, locals were also interested to know about the detainees’ wellbeing. They were told about a new soccer oval and that clients were able to contact family overseas, through access of phones and internet.

Locals were also invited to come out in small groups and see what happened at the facility.

DIAC and Curtin Immigration Detention Centre manager Tracey Hambridge, who said she had called the meeting to give the Derby community an open and transparent update, was joined on the panel by Serco centre manager Mark Bonaccorso, health centre manager Julie Kirk and activities manager Christine Blackman.

Ms Hambridge reported Curtin currently housed 928 clients with a maximum capacity of 1200, and there were no plans to increase numbers at the moment.

Serco centre manager Mark Bonaccorso, who came to Derby with his family from Christmas Island 22 months ago, told the forum Serco employed 200 staff, including 55 locals who provided kitchen and cleaning services. He said Serco’s focus was to provide welfare-based security for detention centre clients as they underwent their visa application process.

Mr Bonaccorso encouraged locals to apply for positions and courses being run in Derby.

One local at the meeting said “it is good they are engaging the community” and of the detainees, “wouldn’t it be great if they were well integrated and welcomed into Australian society and that when they are let out that they are productive and happy?”.