There are at least eight positive COVID cases in the Bass 2 compound of Melbourne’s MITA detention centre in Broadmeadows.Â
The outbreak has so far affected almost a quarter of the 34 immigration detainees in Bass 2 compound, once again revealing the dangers associated with high risk detention environments.
The previous Coalition government did nothing to reduce the detention population in spite of the repeated warnings and COVID outbreaks affecting the detention centres, particularly in Melbourne.
The detainees who are at high risk because of pre-existing health conditions have not been removed from the detention.
The new Labor government should act immediately to ensure detainees at high risk are removed from the detention environment.
“It is bad enough that non-citizens can be held in detention at all. It is a breach of natural justice. They certainly should not be put at the added risk of COVID infection,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
The outbreak is just one more reason for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to press the case for the release of all New Zealanders from immigration detention when she meets Anthony Albanese. One of the eight in Bass 2 with COVID is a New Zealanders who attempted suicice a couple of months ago, and there are several other New Zealanders in the compound.
“The release of all New Zealanders can be the first step to releasing all those held under section 501 and ending the clearly discriminatory use of the section to detain non-citizens,” said Rintoul.
The Refugee Action Coalition can also reveal that three of the five women being held in the Meriton Hotel APOD in Brisbane are New Zealanders. They are only allowed one hour of exercise every second day; they are prisoners in their rooms for 47 out of every 48 hours.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
