"Media reports of the death of a detainee at Villawood are very distressing and of grave concern - we send our sympathies to the man's family and to everyone at the centre.

"It is clear that the levels of anxiety, frustration and mental illness are at boiling point at facilities around the country.

"The system of mandatory detention, coupled with levels of overcrowding and delays in dealing with asylum claims is damaging to people's mental health.

"People who have fled torture, trauma and persecution are already at high risk and are extremely vulnerable.

"We need a system that protects these people, not punishes them. There is a clear need for more support for asylum-seekers, an end to the suspension of processing of claims, and for those claims to be processed quickly, fairly and humanely.

"We cannot just keep people in limbo just because we haven't dealt with their claims.

"I appeal to minister Chris Bowen to visit centres for himself to see the reality facing asylum-seekers.''