NT: Plans for Darwin detention centre remain on track - Ruddock
By Rod McGuirk
DARWIN, Feb 1 AAP - Plans to build a permanent detention centre near Darwin remainedon track despite the downturn in asylum seekers heading to Australia, Immigration MinisterPhilip Ruddock said today.
While a site for a 500-bed facility had not yet been decided, it would not be close to homes.
"Plans are proceeding for a facility which will be purpose built which will not beproximate to families and residences," Mr Ruddock said in Darwin.
"We are moving on with the planning."
The acquisition of the site could still be more than two years away.
Mr Ruddock credited the government's insistence on processing asylum seekers offshorefor the fact that only one boat load of 147 people had attempted to reach Australia inthe past three months.
In the last two months of 2000, 970 asylum seekers arrived in Australia and 1,700 inthe same period a year earlier.
"Some people are telling me this is because of the weather; I think there's somethingmore here operating," he said.
A temporary detention facility built at Darwin's HMAS Coonawarra naval base late lastyear has yet to be used.
AAP rmg/cjh/sb
KEYWORD: BOAT NT
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