Untrue allegations of mistreatment at Baxter IDC

It was alleged by members of the public that detainees at the Baxter Immigration Detention Centre were abused and hung on "hooks" in Red One compound.

The following was prepared in response to these untrue allegations.

• Red One compound, which was destroyed by fire in the New Year disturbances, is yet to be commissioned for operation. As such it has not yet been handed over to ACM.

• Furthermore, advice from ACM Management is that no detainees have been taken to the Red One compound since it's refurbishment.

• The allegation about the "hooks" is absurd. There are no "hooks" in the accommodation rooms in Red One or any other location within any detention facility that would enable officers to shackle detainees.

• Allegations about the mistreatment of detainees is taken very seriously by the Department. There are a number of avenues, including the Commonwealth Ombudsman, HREOC and the police, available to detainees who wish to lodge a complaint about their detention.

• If anyone has information pertaining to the alleged mistreatment of detainees it should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

7 May 2003