Lankan refugee’s death in Sydney sparks fresh debate

AAP: The death of a refugee at Sydney’s Villawood centre has sparked fresh debate about Australia’s asylum seeker policy.

The Tamil man was discovered in a distressed condition at the residential complex adjacent to the main centre, where families and vulnerable individuals are kept, early on Wednesday.

He died shortly after midnight.

The man had been detained at the western Sydney centre since late March 2010 and was described by a friend as being 27.

He had gained refugee status in August but was awaiting security clearance for placement in the community.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the man was one of 462 people awaiting security clearance from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

He was not considered suitable for community placement, Bowen said.

“There was consultation with the relevant security agencies, that’s ASIO, and the advice was it was not appropriate in this case,” he told reporters in Sydney.

Refugee advocates said the man’s death could have been avoided if he had been processed in the community.

“This event is absolutely tragic but unfortunately it is not surprising,” Refugee Action Coalition campaigner Jemima Mowbray said on Wednesday, adding, “We’re calling on the government to shut detention centres and start community processing now.”