Manus Island Regional Processing Centre Investigation

The Salvation Army welcomes the actions by Immigration Minister Tony Burke to launch an immediate investigation into the allegations raised on SBS last night. Until that investigation is complete, we will not be in a position to comment on specific details relating to the issues raised.

As an organisation, we take our duty of care to the asylum seekers in Manus Island Regional Processing Centre very seriously. We have a dedicated team of well-trained case management and support staff who work closely with the transferees to monitor, advise and report any allegations of harm. Any allegations of abuse or intimidation are always treated with respect and investigated thoroughly. Our primary concern is the wellbeing of each asylum seeker.

The Salvation Army has been working on Manus Island since its opening, contracted to provide humanitarian support and welfare services to the asylum seekers transferred there. We place the greatest importance on these responsibilities, and have been out spoken in our concerns about conditions at the Regional Processing Centre, and relentless in our advocacy to the Department about the need to improve facilities and commence processing of asylum seekers refugee claims.

The Salvation Army is very concerned about the levels of stress and trauma asylum seekers experience under the policy of offshore processing and will continue to work cooperatively with other service providers and policy makers to improve conditions and processes in this environment.