Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

I consulted with Premier Barnett by way of phone call to him in the lead-up to the decision on whether to embark on Northam. It was a very positive conversation with Premier Barnett, which is perhaps unsurprising as he was the person who suggested a detention facility be established at Northam. Perhaps it was unsurprising given he wrote to my predecessor asking why don’t we explore Northam as a potential opportunity. I will certainly continue to interact not only with the honourable member for Pearce, who takes a constructive approach to this matter, but also with the state member, Mr Grills, who I must say has been particularly constructive. He has stated that he sees this as an opportunity for the people of Northam, that he wants to talk to people like those in Derby who have found that having a detention facility in their electorate can be a very positive thing.

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