Report reveals dodgy refugee housing

Updated May 24, 2011 05:29:00

The Immigration Minister says New South Wales police have been called in to investigate some problems with services provided to refugees in the Newcastle area.

Chris Bowen has released a report into the housing for refugees in the area and says it does not make for pretty reading.

He says some refugees had received substandard services including accommodation with no hot water, holes in the roof and window panes missing in a bedroom.

"The report identifies some instances of substandard housing, rental charges not necessarily related to market conditions, inappropriate charges for property damage, poor quality household goods and identifies that there have been less than healthy relations between service providers and local community groups," he said.

"I have instructed my department to undertake an immediate action in relation to the findings of the report."

He says he has ordered an audit of refugee housing across the country because he needs to be reassured it is up to standard.

"There's no evidence that it is more widespread, but I think it is very important that we check and that if there is even a few instances elsewhere, then that would be a concern and it is worth conducting that audit," Mr Bowen said.

The police investigation comes as the Government's asylum seeker strategy is due to face scrutiny at Senate estimates hearings this week.

It also comes after the Opposition's announcement over the weekend that it would push for a parliamentary inquiry into the immigration detention network.

The Greens say they would welcome an inquiry if it also examines whether mandatory detention is necessary at all.

Australian Federal Police are also investigating reports of fresh violence involving 40 detainees at the Christmas Island detention centre.

A Senate estimates hearing has been told nearly 330 allegations of assault have been made this financial year - mostly involving disputes between detainees.

Tags: community-and-society, immigration, government-and-politics, federal-government, housing, refugees, australia, nsw, newcastle-2300

First posted May 23, 2011 19:49:00

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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/23/3224723.htm

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