Fed: Opp concerned onshore processing is on the cards

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2009
Fed: Opp concerned onshore processing is on the cards

The federal opposition fears offshore processing rules could soon be relaxed due to
the overcrowding at the Christmas Island detention facility.

Around 15-hundred suspected asylum seekers are currently being held at the facility
.. with many being housed in tents .. and that number will rise soon as another boat load
of people caught on Friday .. makes its way to the island.

The arrival of 56 boats this year has forced the government to expand the centre's
capacity from 1400 to about 2200 beds.

Opposition immigration spokesman SCOTT MORRISON wants to know what efforts Canberra's
making to secure some other form of offshore processing .. after the government flagged
the idea of using Darwin's Northern Immigration Detention Centre for the final stages
of processing.

AAP RTV sld/wz/crh

KEYWORD: BOAT MORRISON (CANBERRA)

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