Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

These people arrived on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait some time late in May—I think it was the 21st. It is true that the family were denied access to visitors while they were in detention—sorry, that people are entitled to decline visitors while they are in detention, and it is true that the nine-year-old boy is unwell. No decision has been made on whether these people will be removed to Nauru, and that is certainly not a short-term proposition. They did arrive at an excised offshore place and therefore, according to the laws that we have in place at the moment—that is, offshore processing—they are precluded from making an application under the Migration Act. As you were here when that legislation was passed, I am sure you will understand that, Senator. The department has facilitated the family’s nine-year-old boy going to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane because he does have a particular condition, which we are caring for, as you would expect we would.