It will be interesting to see how Labour MP Kelvin Davis' bid to gain access to an Australian detention centre will play out.
Mr Davis arrived on Christmas Island on Saturday and delivered a request to visit someone being held at the centre, where about 40 Kiwis are waiting to
be sent back to New Zealand. He concedes that the chances of his getting into the centre are slim and believes Australian authorities will thwart his efforts.
His trip has been prompted by growing concerns about Australia's immigration policy, which came into effect in December, under which anyone who isn't an Australian citizen and who has served a prison sentence of 12 months or more can be deported, potentially affecting about 1000 Kiwis.
One criticism of the policy is that it will apply to people who have committed relatively minor offences and who have lived in Australia for the majority of their lives and regard themselves as Australian.
Mr Davis says he has been in touch with detainees and has heard of worrying conditions at the camp, including reports of detainees self-harming and committing suicide.
