The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force (ABF) has issued a statement defending the ABF from recent criticisms and accusations concerning its detention practices.
The Commissioner, Michael Outram (pictured) said claims that immigration detention facilities, including Alternative Places of Detention (APODs), lacked appropriate health and safety measures were false.
“I also reject claims detainees are being put at risk or that workplace health and safety laws are being breached,” Mr Outram said.
He said the ABF had implemented a range of protective and preventative measures in accordance with national guidelines.
“Our management, planning and preparedness have been independently verified by the Commonwealth Ombudsman and Comcare,” Mr Outram said.
He said that in recent incidents relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, a staff member based in Brisbane tested positive to the virus on 18 March, but had not worked in a detention facility for 11 days before the diagnosis.
One individual who had not been in a detention facility since April 2018, and who had been living in the community in Melbourne, tested positive to COVID-19 on 6 July. The individual was self-isolating.
He said a staff member based in Melbourne tested positive for COVID-19 on 11 July. That person had not worked at any detention facility since 4 July and did not have any symptoms until several days after that shift.
“A number of staff employed at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre who had recently been to the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney are currently self-quarantining in line with NSW Health guidelines,” Mr Outram said.
“All have tested negative for COVID-19,” he said.
“In all these cases, responses have been comprehensive and in line with State and Federal health guidelines. Where appropriate, all necessary quarantining, testing, contact tracing and deep cleaning have been carried out,” the Commissioner said.
