Asylum seekers get their first taste of freedom in Cairns

SEVEN vulnerable male asylum seekers have been transferred from detention centres into the Cairns community to await the outcome of their refugee claims and up to 30 are expected to be living in the city by the end of the month.

Cairns is providing the first taste of partial freedom for the men, who have been locked up in centres for as long as two years, under a new contract between the Salvation Army and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The partnership was forged out of concern for the fragile mental health of the men, said Capt Paul Moulds, (pictured) head of the Salvation Army’s asylum seeker assistance program.

"They’ve had significant trauma in their life in their other country and detention is exacerbating that trauma," he said.

"Part of the soul destroying thing of detention is you just sit around all day."

The charity approached the department late last year out of concern for the mental wellbeing of the long-time male asylum seekers, offering to assist the men if they were transferred into the community.

The first group of men, aged 35 to 50, arrived in Cairns just before Christmas and the Salvation Army provided a festive feast and a gift for each of them.

"To have their first Christmas in Australia, they’re just thrilled," Capt Moulds said.

"The next thing they’re looking forward to is Australia Day."

Community detention offers greater freedom than detention centres because detainees are able to move throughout the community, but they must live at a specified address, report to the department regularly and not engage in paid work because they do not have a visa.

"The people we are working with in this program have expressed over and over again to our staff their deep appreciation to the people of Cairns for the welcome and support they have received from this community," Capt Moulds said.

The Federal Government is funding shared accommodation in large homes throughout Cairns and the men have daily tasks such as buying food, cooking and cleaning.

"I’ve never experienced people who are so thankful for the opportunity that’s been given to them," Capt Moulds said. He said the men would like to work but are eager to volunteer to express their gratitude to the community.

"They want to create a better future for themselves," he said.

The men are given an unspecified allowance to pay for living costs, including food, transport and electricity, said an immigration department spokeswoman.

The Federal Government also funds the men’s health care, case workers and a range of activities, such as trips to the pool and English lessons, she said.

The men in community detention could eventually be granted visas to live in Australia, or they could be sent back to their country of origin.

It is unknown how long they could be in community detention before a determination is granted.

In Queensland, there were 303 people in community detention as of December 29.