Food found dumped on Christmas Island
EXCLUSIVE: A large shipment of food meant for asylum seekers has been dumped in a rubbish tip on Christmas Island.
Charities say they could have given it to the needy before it went out of date.
While, the Federal Opposition claims it's more evidence of taxpayers' money being wasted.
Biscuits, fruit cake, tortilla wraps, and breakfast cereal, were dumped by the pallet load, after passing their "best before" date.
Most of it was dropped off last week, by the Immigration Department's detention contractor, Serco.
A Serco spokesman says that "given the large number of people being catered for, it is understandable there occasionally may be excess stock."
"It is consistent with the department and Serco's duty of care, that stock past its use by date is disposed of appropriately."
Shadow Immigration Spokesman Scott Morrison says it’s another case of waste and mismanagement, this time it's littered all over Christmas Island.
“Well, the Government has a duty of care to manage our borders well, it has a duty of care to manage the budget, and we've seen both of those blown,” Morrison said.
What makes the waste of food even harder to swallow is that all over mainland Australia, charities are already struggling to keep up with the number of people needing to be fed.
Foodbank Australia reported a 30 percent increase in the past year.
"Absolutely more could be done… the problem of food shortage in Australia continues to increase."
"Foods like cereal, are needed most. They're definitely the sort of products we're after," Foodbank Spokesman Ric Benjamin said.
