9 Jun 2016

NZ detainee complains to NSW health watchdog

9:36 pm on 9 June 2016

A New Zealand detainee with an infected leg has lodged a complaint with the New South Wales health watchdog, accusing immigration authorities of substandard care.

The detainee, who RNZ News has agreed not to name, spoke out last month when he feared his leg would be amputated after an infection had festered for five months.

The man is also asking the New Zealand consulate to help him get a human rights lawyer to battle Australian authorities.

He says the Villawood detention centre in Sydney has one full-time psychologist for more than 300 people.

A consular official visited him in recent days, after the man accused them of ignoring the plight of almost 200 New Zealanders detained indefinitely after having their visas cancelled.