The City of Moreland Council voted to condemn the establishment of a secret immigration detention centre in Fawkner at its meeting on December 9. The motion was moved by Socialist councillor Sue Bolton.

Bolton found out about the secret prison through contacts in the refugee rights movement. The council was never notified by Australian Border Force or the Department of Home Affairs that it had set up an APOD (Alternative Place of Detention) in the Moreland Council area.

Ismail Hussein, 29, told The Guardian on December 15 that conditions at Mantra were “more difficult” than what the asyulm seekers had experienced in Manus Island. “Maybe one hour of gym — that’s the only time that I am not in my room. The rest of the day, I’m lying on my bed or sitting on the chair.”

Bolton said it is a big concern that the government seems to setting up a network of secret detention centres in motels. “This could also be a tactic to split the refugees in Mantra up into smaller and more isolated groups at motels. It would, of course, increase the enormous pressure on individuals.”

Protests to demand the refugees are freed and not moved to another hotel prison are being held at the Mantra, 215 Bell Street, Preston at 5pm every day and every Saturday at 3pm.

Unionists for Refugees are calling on unions to organise contingents, with banners, to join a solidarity rally on December 19 at 3pm.