A CATHOLIC refugee worker has condemned Federal Government plans to build another detention centre, possibly on Brisbane’s western outskirts.
Brisbane archdiocesan Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care director, Jose Zepeda said building a hostel which is not as “aggressive and repressive” would be more appropriate.
A spokesman for Federal Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said tenders were still being called for the detention centre and a list of possible locations had not yet been drawn up.
The spokesman said the centre would primarily house people who have not got permission to stay, such as people who have remained in the country with expired working visas.
In Western Australia, Holy Ghost Father Wally McNamara believes the Port Hedland detention centre, which has seen protests by asylum seekers in recent weeks, is “an unpleasant environment”.
His parish in Port Hedland is unable to meet the needs of detainees, he said.
