Taxpayers fund detainees’ smoking habits


AAP

Funding the smoking habits of immigration detainees costs taxpayers more than $1.4 million a year.

The company that manages the detention centres, Serco, has spent an average of $4000 a day on tobacco products for detainees since the 2009-10 financial year, News Limited reported on Tuesday.

Detainees earn points in the immigration detention system worth up to $50 a week by participating in education and activity programs and then use the points to purchase items, including cigarettes.

The Department of Immigration has defended the situation, saying detainees are not being punished and have access to everyday items.

“It is important to remember that immigration detention is administrative, not punitive,” the department said.

“People in immigration care are not being punished and have access to everyday items that are available to the public. Quit information and support products are available.”

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