Palmer seeks visit to Christmas Island to ensure children's welfare

Billionaire Clive Palmer says he is concerned about the welfare of asylum seeker children in detention on Christmas Island and wants to visit the island to check on their welfare.

Billionaire MP Clive Palmer

Billionaire MP Clive Palmer (AAP)

Federal MP Clive Palmer is seeking approval from the federal government to visit the Christmas Island detention centre.

The Palmer United Party leader says he'll write to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to grant him access.

The PUP leader said in a statement today that he was "determined to ensure the children of asylum seekers were not denied a happy childhood".

"I have always believed that keeping children behind bars was wrong but the birth of my daughter Lucy last month has renewed by commitment to these kids," Mr Palmer said in the statement.

"Whether they took this dangerous voyage with their parents, or were born in detention, every child deserves a safe and loving upbringing with a range of experiences, not just the inside of a cell or an exercise yard."

A delegation of PUP candidates last year visited the island on a fact-finding mission.

Mr Palmer said it was his New Year’s resolution to personally visit the island in 2014.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world