Michael Gunner writes to Peter Dutton urging detained refugees be released as advocate has visiting privileges revoked

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has written a letter to Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton asking for the release of a group of refugees detained in a facility near the Darwin airport.

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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has written a letter to Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton asking for the release of a group of refugees detained in a facility near the Darwin airport.

In a letter dated March 12 of this year, obtained by the NT News, Mr Gunner wrote to Mr Dutton in support of the release of an Iranian family of refugees on bridging visas on March 2.

Mojtaba Haghighat and Asfaneh Ghodsi are among the nine refugees who remain detained. Photograph: Che Chorley

He also said he supported the release of the remaining refugees into community-based detention in the Northern Territory.

“The Northern Territory has a strong and supportive multicultural community and there is a growing network who would welcome the opportunity to support these families upon their release,” the letter said.

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“With consideration of your Department’s assessment of eligibility, I support community-based detention in Darwin or anywhere else you deem suitable and would welcome them to our community.”

Darwin Asylum Seeker Support & Advocacy Network (DASSAN) and ‘Set Them Free’ campaign spokesman John Jablonka said they supported either granting bridging visas to or transferring refugees into community-based facilities.

“They could be awaiting their outcome in the community which is much safer and much healthier, rather than being guarded 24/7,” he said. “We’ll take anything which will improve the situation.”

The group of 15 refugees were brought to Darwin from Nauru more than a year ago for medical treatment.

They are being held in a facility behind the Darwin Mercure Airport Hotel by security company Serco which is contracted by the commonwealth government.

Nine refugees detained at the Federal Detention Facility at Darwin Airport. They have been in detention for eight years and have been brought to Darwin as part of a medevac program. Photograph: Che Chorley

The NT News also understands that another advocate for the group who paid regularly visits to the detainees, who did not want to be named, has had her visiting privileges revoked by Serco.

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A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said in a statement yesterday: “As with all immigration detention facilities, detainees in APODs (alternative places of detention) have access to health services, appropriate food, cultural, recreational and sporting activities, internet and computer facilities, televisions, and clean, comfortable sleeping quarters.”

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