Good news from the Federal Government which has announced two new detention centres for refugees will be opened on mainland Australia.

Children and vulnerable families also will be moved out of detention centres and into community accommodation run by churches and charities under reforms announced by Julia Gillard.

The Prime Minister said the expansion recognised the need to treat people fleeing detention humanely, balanced with the need to maintain a mandatory detention regime.

“This is especially important for children, for whom protracted detention can have negative impacts on their development and mental health,” she said.

There are more than 700 children in immigration detention in Australia.

 Mr Bowen said priority for community-based accommodation would be given to vulnerable families.

“That is families that are assessed as having experienced trauma or torture or being at risk of mental health issues,” he said.

It was intended such families live a more normal life.

“Children will be able to and obliged to attend school normally and to live a more normal life,’ Mr Bowen said.

Article, Two new detention centres to be opened, as children are moved into community housing.   See earlier,  No kids in detention centres.