Not appropriate for children to go to the zoo

[lurker172602]

Day trips for children in detention run by Catholic Nuns have been banned and deemed 'not appropriate' by the Immigration Department & Peter Dutton.

Day trips were led for the last 4 years by Sister Brigid Arthur, 81, of the Brigidine Sisters.

"[We'd] go to the Collingwood Children's Farm, go to the zoo occasionally, out to adventure playgrounds," Sister Brigid told 774 ABC Melbourne's Jon Faine. "Anything that actually can entertain the kids and give them some stimulation."

Sister Brigid said the program had been suspended by the ABF, which said it was "under review".

"We haven't actually been able to resume it, so presumably the review has ... had a negative outcome," Sister Brigid said

full article here

#notinmyname

[harley_babes_hoard]

that's fair enough. They aren't stopping them altogether they want the nuns to join in with already organised excusions.

ABF Regional Commander Don Smith told 774 ABC Melbourne's Rafael Epstein that he stopped the program because he was not comfortable with supervision levels.

"There were reports about some activities that were being undertaken by the nuns and the other members of the program where the levels of supervision for those activities weren't to the standard that I was comfortable with," he said.

He said the nuns would be welcome to join Serco officers on existing excursions organised for detainees.

"We welcome the nuns to participate in the excursions that we already have, we see that there is a degree of duplication in the activities, there was also a concern that we had insufficient oversight of what the activities that were being planned," he said.

[lurker172602]

Sister Brigid said there were never any incidents or escape attempts on the outings.

"The outings were amazingly free from any incident. The people were so pleased to be out and about," she said.

"Most of the kids don't want to go with the officers, who are seen to be 'security' people."

[icyfroth]

Are the Nun's trying to convert them to Christianity?

[harley_babes_hoard]

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@lurker172602 wrote:

Sister Brigid said there were never any incidents or escape attempts on the outings.

"The outings were amazingly free from any incident. The people were so pleased to be out and about," she said.

"Most of the kids don't want to go with the officers, who are seen to be 'security' people."

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Of course not but they are in detention. There naturally has to be a certain level of security.

[lloydslights]

Just as for any school, day care centre, etc  there are rules and procedures for such outings, as we as parents/grandparents/carers would expect.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/regulation/pracnotesexcursions.pdf

Even the 81 year old Sister Brigid mentioned "amazingly (definition:great surprise, astonishing, wonder) free from any incident".  

DEB

[lurker172602]

Sister Brigid Arthur said the program had run for four years until it was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) "about six months ago".

They were also, unfortunately, in detention over the past three and a half years. What has changed now that requires extra security?  Bearing in mind these are children we are taking about.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

What changed four months ago?

And why is it only now that this story is in the media?

[lurker172602]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Just as for any school, day care centre, etc  there are rules and procedures for such outings, as we as parents/grandparents/carers would expect.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/regulation/pracnotesexcursions.pdf

Even the 81 year old Sister Brigid mentioned "amazingly (definition:great surprise, astonishing, wonder) free from any incident".  

DEB

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I'm sorry, I don't understand your point.  Are you suggesting the regulations weren't adhered to?  

Brigid Arthur is a Brigidine Sister who trained both as a Primary and Secondary teacher. She taught and was Principal of schools for many years. Brigid has a degree in Arts (Melbourne University) and educational and Mathematics/Science degrees from Australian Catholic University, La Trobe University, Monash University and Melbourne University.

That suggests to me that Sister Brigid Arthur would know what was required.

[lurker172602]

I don't know youcan.  It seems to me to be just another way to "punish" immigration detainees children.