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October 25, 2010 Australia – In Queensland, a large group of asylum seekers were being transferred to an air force base as the country’s immigration detention encounters additional strains.

300 adult men were transferred to the Scherger Air Force Base which is outside Weipa in Queensland’s Gulf country after over 150 asylum seekers were intercepted on Thursday morning. Transfers will still continue over the weekend, this according to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen. He stated that there were already 83 people who are on board the first transfer flight from Christmas Island. Further flights in the coming days will follow to increase its centre up to a capacity of 300 people.

Earlier in September, the government has already announced that the air force base would be prepared for the accommodation of the asylum seekers as an immediate response to overcrowding in the system. It also announced that 600 more beds will be added to the remote Curtain Air Force Base in Western Australia which will increase its capacity to 1200, with the expansion of the use of the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation.

Just this week, there was an announcement made by the government regarding the addition of two more new detention centres. These centres would be commissioned on the mainland, specifically in Northam in Western Australia and the Inverbackie in South Australia. They are to cater up to 1900 asylum seekers.

The Darwin Airport Lodge is also undergoing expansion to make room for 400 asylum seekers.

The country of Australia is doing its best to give shelter to asylum seekers so as to avoid illegal entry in the country. These people are also being helped for them to be safe from human trafficking that they might encounter. As the number of asylum seekers grow, the government is putting in all its efforts to ascertain these people’s safety.

source:
news.smh