Fiasco as PNG refugees returned to Granville

The first attempt at ‘community placement’ from Granville has failed.

The refugees moved out of Granville Motel this morning (Tuesday, 13 November) were returned to Granville after a couple of hours.

Among the problems: the rooms were too small (they couldn’t move inside them); the toilet and shower were inadequate; there were no laundry facilities; there was one kitchen for all the refugees (potentially up to 50) to use, although they are expected to provide and cook their own food.

“The conditions were very poor. The conditions at Lombrum [the closed detention centre on Manus Island] were better than that hotel,” one refugee told the Refugee Action Coalition.

JDA, the PNG service provider, is already being investigated by the Australian auditor-general.

“It looks like JDA is living up to its reputation for lack of services and contract fraud,” said Ian Rintoul, “The Refugee Action Coalition is calling on the Australian government to abandon the community placement efforts and provide secure resettlement.”

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

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