Administrative changes by Serco and the immigration department that have severely curtailed asylum seekers’ ability to earn points that can be used, among other things, to buy phone cards have seen a dramatic rise in tensions inside the Curtin detention centre.
Detainees automatically receive 25 points each week; and can earn up to another 25 points by participating in certain scheduled activities at 2 points a turn. But the range of activities that can earn points has been dramatically cut back at Curtin.
Points used to be able to be earned through sportsground activities but points can now be earned only by participating in sportsground activities at 6.00am. Points for other activities like music and games have been stopped altogether. Now people have to line up in the sun in the hope they can join an approved activity.
“People are anxious and unhappy. No points means no phone cards,” one detainee told the Refugee Action Coalition.
The restrictions on which activities can earn points have resulted in fights among detainees over who is going to be able to participate in scheduled points-earning activities. Serco has also stopped asylum seekers’ access to scanning facilities – something that severely hampers communication with their lawyers.
Detainees have also been without television since 31 December. The TVs started working last Thursday, but Australian channels are no longer available.
“This is something straight out of the Scott Morrison manual on open government. Not content with trying to keep journalists and the Australian public in the dark, Morrison has extended the news blackout to asylum seekers,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“It is a disgraceful attempt to limit asylum seekers’ access to phones and communication with those who can provide help.”
Complaints have been registered with the Red Cross and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The government has also failed to respond to the petition signed by 60 Curtin asylum seekers, sent to Tony Abbott a month ago, asking why they were being held so long in detention and asking when processing for bridging visas would begin.
Buddhist asylum seekers in Curtin are also concerned at the lack of respect for their religious beliefs. After complaints that there were no appropriate facilities for them, a statue of Buddha has been installed in the same room used by detainees to play table tennis!
For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
