Pontville announcement

TASMANIA’S detention facility at Pontville has not been used for some time at significant cost to the Australian taxpayer, Liberal Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson said today.

“It makes sense that it is closed now it is no longer needed,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.

Mr Hutchinson was commenting on an announcement by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison earlier today that Pontville would be one of four immigration facilities nationally that would close.

The closure of the facilities would bring saving of at least $88.8 million a year, Mr Morrison said.

Mr Hutchinson said that the detention centre shutdowns were an indication that the federal government border protection policies were working when the numbers of boats arrivals had dropped to such a significant level that a number of detention centres were no longer required.

He said that he was pleased to hear about the savings to be made from the closure of Pontville and the three other centres in South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

Mr Morrison acknowledged that there would be an impact on some local business and service provider staff.

But these closures would bring at least $7.4 million a month in savings to the government and the Australian taxpayer, he said.
Liberal Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson