New concerns over a group of evangelical missionaries currently volunteering at Christmas Island. The group, Youth With a Mission, is providing sports, art and other similar activities to detainees. The Human Rights Commission will investigate whether these services are being outsourced to volunteers in order to save money.
This comes as detention center operations changes hands. The company, Serco, is taking over the running of Christmas Island detention centers. Operations were previously handled by G4S Australia.
G4S Australia is the company that brought the YWAM volunteers to Christmas Island.
A Serco spokesperson says they will open up discussions with volunteers to learn more about the support they plan to give as well as expenses incurred by volunteers.
It is important to note that no complaints have been filed regarding YWAM services.
An Immigration Department official said, "G4S specifically briefed YWAM about their role on Christmas Island and made it clear that proselytising and advocacy were not part of their role."
Missions
Christian volunteers bring controversy to Christmas Island
By: Anna Cheung
Thursday, 2 July 2009, 16:39 (EST)
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