These children have already had their worlds torn apart and witnessed their parents in turmoil and in stress. No wonder that paediatricians and psychologists report that child detainees are confused, fearful, unable to sleep, suffer headaches, tummy pains and weight loss and exhibit severe emotional and behavioural problems.

The same newspaper reports how an Anglican priest dressed as St Nicholas/Father Christmas to deliver presents to children at an immigration removal centre was refused entry.

the increasingly angry security guards called the police. The resulting ill-tempered and surreal impasse between church and state was videotaped by asylum seeker support groups and could become an internet viral hit.

I’ll certainly add a link to it when it becomes available…

How appalling this is. Perhaps every state official who has anything to do with asylum seekers should have to read something like Home and Away by John Marsden and Matt Ottley as part of their training…