Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Immigration Minister Chris Evans to transfer the running of immigration detention centres to public hands.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship yesterday announced a preferred tenderer for a new five-year contract to provide detention services at immigration detention centres.

The Labor Party’s 2007 National Platform and Constitution specifically states that the operation of detention centres should be returned to government control, to ensure there is a clear line of responsibility back to the Minister.

“The Government’s announcement that it is considering a new five-year contract for immigration detention services is disappointing and strikingly at odds with the Labor’s pre-election promises,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“Outsourcing is not an appropriate way of handling the claims and care of these vulnerable people seeking our assistance and protection, particularly when some of the detention facilities are so remote from the Australian mainland.

“Accountability and transparency are key to making sure human rights and justice are respected in Australia’s immigration processes.

“The Greens urge the Government to return all immigration detention services to public control, to open up a direct line of responsibility between the Department, the Minister and the immigration processes that occur in these detention facilities.”