More asylum seekers being relocate to Western Australia

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Another group of asylum seekers on Friday has been relocated to the West Australian gold-mining town of Leonora, with more to be transferred on Sunday, official said.

The Department of Immigration Australia confirmed 30 Afghanistan and Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who were being housed in motels and alternative accommodation in states of Brisbane and Darwin, arrived at Leonora of Western Australia on Friday.

They will join 83 asylum seekers who have arrived at the disused mining camp earlier this month after the Christmas Island detention center began reaching capacity.

The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans told ABC News on Monday that more asylum seekers could be sent to Leonora in the future because there is a shortage of other accommodation suitable for families.

"This is a temporary arrangement, but they will be there for some months," Evans said.

"We've got a shortage of accommodation that's suitable for families and we've located this vacant accommodation that was used for miners and is no longer being used so it's ideal for us to use. "

Meanwhile a group of 60 Afghan men has been transferred from Christmas Island to the recommissioned Curtin Detention Center, in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The new arrivals take the number of asylum seekers being housed at Curtin to 318.

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