Christmas Island Immigration Detention Facilities Update

Christmas Islanders can expect to see increased activity and more specialist support staff arriving on island over the next few weeks as preparations to resume operations at the immigration detention facilities get underway.

It is anticipated that a number of Serco and IHMS staff will arrive on Christmas Island this afternoon as part of the activities required to resume operations.

This is in line with the contingency arrangements the facilities have been operating under since October 2018 that operations may be recommenced within 72 hours of a request being made by the Australian Government.

As indicated in previous Community Bulletins, I will be in Canberra next week to meet with key Ministers and senior department officials with responsibilities for the Indian Ocean Territories, to discuss key issues including the implications of reopening the immigration detention facilities.

I am committed to working with the community to understand community concerns on Christmas Island and to provide advice to the Australian Government.

Natasha Griggs
Administrator
Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands