FED:Villawood riots to be reviewed: Bowen=4

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2011
FED:Villawood riots to be reviewed: Bowen=4

Mr Bowen said rioting could never be excused.

"I understand, certainly, the frustration of asylum seekers but there is no justification
ever for this kind of violent action," he said.

As well as attacking firemen, Mr Bowen said he'd heard reports protesters had threatened
and intimidated other detainees.

The immigration minister said he understood those who'd had their asylum claims rejected
were unhappy with that outcome.

"(But) Australia does not make its visa decisions based on protest action, we base
it on the information we have available to us."

Mr Bowen also rejected claims that residents were angry over a planned detention centre
at Pontville near Hobart in Tasmania.

He said the overall response was positive and it had been welcomed by the local mayor.

"The response from the broad Pontville community I think since that announcement a
couple of weeks ago has been encouraging.

"I expected it to be controversial ... we should sit down with those local members
and talk through their concerns."

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KEYWORD: DETAINEE BOWEN 4 CANBERRA

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