Minister shuns Villawood hunger strikers
ABC
Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans says he has no plans to meet a group of detainees reported to be on a hunger strike.
The Refugee Action Coalition says more than 100 detainees at Sydney's Villawood detention centre are refusing food in protest against Australia's immigration laws and are seeking a meeting with Senator Evans.
"They're actually meeting to draw up a delegation of people who would be available to meet with the Minister to try and sort out the problems," spokesman Ian Rintoul said.
A spokesman for the Immigration Minister says it is unclear how many people are on a hunger strike but Immigration Department officials will visit Villawood to hear their concerns.
The spokesman says two-thirds of the 126 people held at Villawood are visa overstayers who have no right to be in Australia.
He says food and water are constantly available and the people on the hunger strike are under medical observation.
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