2016-01-16
The Australian Greens have called on the government and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to address a growing epidemic of self-harm within Australian immigration detention centres.
With 949 incidents of self-harm reported across Australia, Nauru and Manus Island detention centres in the 2014-15 financial year, it's clear something must change, the Australian Greens said.
"The current situation is unacceptable and, as a strong and compassionate people, we could be doing so much better," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"The fact that children are so traumatised that they're resorting to shocking acts of self-harm is appalling.
"I've seen the results of this sort of abuse. When I was on Nauru, it was clear that the children were shell-shocked and suffering as a direct result of their imprisonment in such a violent environment.
"It's been clear for over a year that locals and guards have been preying on the women and children that the government has sent to them as easy victims.
"There is no excuse for Mr Turnbull to turn a blind eye to these conditions, he must act. His Minister, Peter Dutton, is responsible for this misery and must be held to account.
"As a caring nation, we can help the people who come to us seeking a safer, better life. It's time the government set up a fair and efficient system that can process these people's claims and then bring them to Australia where they can be integrated into the community."
Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760