Minister Cuts Razor Wire in Aust. Detention Centre

Minister Cuts Villawood Razor Wire

VPS 110/2005

Minister for Immigration, Amanda Vanstone, today cut razor wire that surrounds the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, marking the start of work to remove it from fences.

‘I am pleased to announce that workers have now started bringing down the razor wire at Villawood,’ the Minister said.

‘The wire will be donated to The Smorgon Steel Great Scrap Round-Up, which is raising money for Australia’s bush fire brigades.’

The Minister announced in August that razor wire would be removed at Villawood.

‘The move, along with new landscaping works around the perimeter fencing will change the face and the feel of the centre for both detainees and visitors,’ the Minister said.

‘It shows the Government’s commitment to making positive changes to the detention environment while maintaining border security.

‘It is an example of where the Government has gone further than changes recommended by the Palmer Report to improve the detention centre environment.

‘The removal of the wire is a statement of good faith from the Government which I hope will be matched by people in centres and those outside who may be opposed to detention policy.’

The Minister said security at the centre will continue to be a high priority.

Razor wire will be maintained in the higher-security area of the centre.

‘However, the razor wire surrounding the accommodation blocks, central facilities and visits areas will come down, significantly improving the amenity of the centre’ the Minister said.

‘Some six tonnes of wire will be removed over the next three weeks.

‘Smorgon Steel will turn the steel into a range of products such as wheels and axles for rail freight carriages.

‘With summer approaching it’s appropriate the scrapped wire go to the Smorgon Steel Great Scrap Round-Up to support the important work of our bush fire brigades.’

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