Christmas Island residents are disappointed they didn't get a formal opportunity to voice their concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers during Immigration Minister Scott Morrison's visit.
Mr Morrison made his first official visit to Christmas Island on Wednesday and toured the detention centre housing 2184 asylum-seeker boat arrivals.
Mr Morrison, accompanied by Operation Sovereign Borders commander Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, arrived on the island off Western Australia late on Tuesday night for the 30-hour visit.
They met with Christmas Island residents on Wednesday night.
Christmas Island councillor Gordon Thomson told AAP many residents had been expecting a town hall-style meeting and were disappointed they did not get an opportunity to raise their concerns.
"It turned into a cup of tea session. He (Mr Morrison) went round talking to people individually," Mr Thomson said.
"It was more conversations where he got to dominate and do the talking. That's not satisfactory."
Mr Thomson said he would put his concerns to Mr Morrison in writing.
Jon Stanhope, the administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, cut short a week-long visit to the Cocos to meet with Mr Morrison.
In a statement on Wednesday night a spokesperson for Mr Morrison said: "A community afternoon tea had been arranged and the minister engaged with everyone who sought his attention. Local issues were discussed and useful feedback was obtained from the local community."
Share
