❓ WA Premier responds to the announcement of a new detention centre on Christmas Island, highlighting potential economic benefits for WA but expressing disappointment at the lack of consultation from the Commonwealth government.
AnsweredQoN 750Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DETENTION CENTRE, CHRISTMAS ISLAND 750. Mr QUIGLEY to the Premier: Will the establishment of a new detention centre on Christmas Island, as announced by the Commonwealth Government today, have any implications for Western Australia? Dr GALLOP
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Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
DETENTION CENTRE, CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Will the establishment of a new detention centre on Christmas Island, as announced by the Commonwealth Government today, have any implications for Western Australia? Dr GALLOP replied: Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
Dr GALLOP replied: Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
DETENTION CENTRE, CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Will the establishment of a new detention centre on Christmas Island, as announced by the Commonwealth Government today, have any implications for Western Australia? Dr GALLOP replied: Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
Dr GALLOP replied: Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
Let me say at the outset that the Labor Party supports the policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers. My Government sees no problem with the establishment of a new reception and processing centre on Christmas Island. Problems have occurred with the management of existing facilities on the mainland and it is hoped that a new 1 200-bed facility on Christmas Island will alleviate some of the problems. There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
There is no doubt that such a facility could provide significant economic opportunities for Western Australia through the provision of goods and services. The Commonwealth is looking at investing $500 million to provide additional accommodation on the island as well as new community infrastructure and roads, and to expand the existing port. I am disappointed that this announcement was made by the Commonwealth without prior consultation with the State. Although Christmas Island is not part of Western Australia, the State has a special relationship with it and its residents. The relationship should not be taken for granted by the Commonwealth. Laws passed by this Parliament automatically apply to Christmas Island as commonwealth law. The Indian Ocean Territories (Administration of Laws) Act enables state agencies to exercise powers, perform functions and duties, and provide services on Christmas Island. There are currently 28 service delivery agreements between the Commonwealth Government and a variety of state agencies. It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
It is not yet clear whether the new facility planned for Christmas Island will have any impact on the existing detention centres at Port Hedland and Curtin. I expect the Commonwealth to advise the State Government and the local communities of any likely changes in the operation of those centres.
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