Community Information—Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre

Today we welcomed the Prime Minister Scott Morrison to Christmas Island, including a visit to the Christmas Island District High School where he met our leaders of the future.

I am continuing to work closely with the Australian Government, and the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (DIRDC), to manage the impact of increased activity on the Island, and held further discussions with the Prime Minister today about future investment in the community.

Christmas Island immigration detention facilities have now been activated, with full services to be delivered across the facilities by the end of March 2019, including:

• Northwest Point Immigration Detention Centre
• Phosphate Hill Alternative Place of Detention
• Construction Camp Alternative Place of Detention.

DIRDC is continuing to work closely with Department of Home Affairs to ensure Christmas Island’s infrastructure and services are not unduly impacted by the arrival of transfers.

Medical and support services on Christmas Island are being bolstered to cater for the health needs of people transferred from Nauru and PNG. This will ensure minimal impact on existing Christmas Island health services. Medical service provider IHMS is contracted to deliver health services in the Immigration Detention Network in accordance with Australian standards. Under current contractual arrangements, general practitioners, nurses and paramedics will provide IHMS healthcare on Christmas Island and we have requested IHMS match mental health clinical staffing currently available in Nauru.

I, and the Australian Government, remain committed to supporting the Christmas Island community and the development of a strong, sustainable and diverse economy on the Island.

I look forward to providing you with further updates.

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