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A CONVICTED pedophile awaiting deportation to India is being detained in the Baxter Detention Centre where he can interact with children. Norman Leonard Hogermeer, 53, who served 8 1/2 years of a 15 year jail term in Perth for sexual offences involving minors and unlawful wounding, was moved to Baxter three weeks ago. He was released from jail in June last year and has previously been held in the Perth Immigration Detention Centre. His detention in Baxter's White 1 Compound has outraged child protection and refugee groups who say his presence puts children at risk. "Why would they put a convicted pedophile anywhere in a detention centre with children?" the co-founder of support group MAKO, Peter Morell, said yesterday. "Why house him in a detention centre rather than a remand centre or a jail. It's a major concern and its putting (children) at risk." White 1 Compound houses single males, with women and children housed in a separate compound. When contacted by the 'The Advertiser' last night, Hogermeer revealed he has opportunities to interact with children and he can apply to visit the family compound and visitor centre where children gather. "Everybody makes a mistake in their lives and they should be given a second chance," he said. Hogermeer, who has been in Australia since 1970 and lived in Perth, married an Australian woman and never applied for Australian citizenship. He has sought legal advice to try to stop his deportation. Premier Mike Rann was informed of the "extraordinary claims" late yesterday and had forwarded emailed information to federal immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone, her department and the Department of Families and Communities to investigate. An Immigration Department spokeswoman said the department "does try to remove these people as quickly as possible". "But, often it is very hard to do because people are entitled to be here while they have litigation ongoing," the spokeswoman said. Adelaide Advertiser (9-3-2005) Bryan Littlely/ Christopher Salter |
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