Media Release - Gillard should visit Woodside - Tuesday 9 November 2010

Today Prime Minister Gillard will visit Adelaide.

While she is here she should finally visit Woodside to speak to locals about their concerns in relation to the Inverbrackie detention facility.

The last time Prime Minister Gillard was in town was the day before she announced the new facility. Despite being 17 kilometres from the Inverbrackie site, she did not bother treating the community with respect by telling them then of the decision and today she should.

Then we had the Immigration Minister Chris Bowen make a flash visit to the Adelaide Hills three weeks after the announcement. But he, just like the Prime Minster, did not have the courage to speak to the local community, deciding instead to hold a staged managed meeting 20 kilometres away from Woodside.

The ambush announcement by the Gillard Labor Government to turn the defence housing site into a detention centre has caused enormous concern and the local community have legitimate questions they want answered.

The total lack of consultation with the community or anyone associated with governance in South Australia has been appalling.

Today the Prime Minister should visit Woodside and listen to the hardworking citizens who want to and deserve to have their say on the future of their community.

This is the least the Prime Minister can do.