Fed: Latham repeats call for release of children in detention= 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2003
Fed: Latham repeats call for release of children in detention= 2

The number of children in immigration detention rose in the past month to 188, with
almost half of those held on the Pacific island of Nauru and another 95 in detention centres
on the Australia mainland and Christmas Island, according to a report by A Just Australia.

Mr Latham outlined Labor's immigration policy as strong on border protection but compassionate
to asylum seekers.

"We are firmer on border protection with our coast guard strategy but more compassionate
with asylum seekers."

He said Labor would abandon the so-called Pacific solution, bring the management of
detention centres back into the public sector and have 90 per cent of asylum seekers processed
within 90 days.

"Genuine refugees are welcomed into the Australian community and those who aren't genuine
obviously have to make other arrangements," he said.

He said the Labor Party would also pursue visa programs which would see migrants settle
in regional Australia.

"We are not so hung up on the net migration intake; we're interested in the dispersal
of migration," he said.

AAP rb/gfr/cbs/bwl

KEYWORD: DETENTION LATHAM 2 MELBOURNE

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