Immigration Facilities Tense but Controlled
Media Release - DPS 2/2003
Tensions continued to be high at many immigration detention facilities, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs said today.
A spokesperson said the department was working closely with local law enforcement agencies, local fire authorities and other government agencies to continue to maintain control at the centres.
Since the arson attacks that began at the Baxter and Port Hedland facilities last weekend and earlier this week, followed by more deliberate destruction at Woomera on Monday, the department has implemented a range of strategies to continue to ensure that there are no escapes and that those responsible for causing millions of dollars in damage are brought to justice.
Irrespective of the many fire prevention strategies being adopted and fire fighting facilities being provided, the spokesperson warned that where people were intent on setting fire to detention facilities and were then forcibly obstructing efforts to extinguish fires, it was virtually impossible to prevent destruction of property.
"Our centres are not prisons - we do not have lock-down as many advocates claim.
"People live in a communal environment designed to let them live as normally as possible.
"However, this relied on a certain amount of cooperation from detainees and where that was not forthcoming managing populations in these centres presented significant challenges."
The department continues to be concerned at the public support shown by refugee advocacy groups for the actions of detainees in destroying immigration facilities.
By justifying the criminal actions of detainees these groups are actively encouraging this type of behaviour to continue, endangering the lives of detainees and staff, and costing the taxpayer millions of dollars.
On top of the standard operation procedures in place in all detention centres in Australia, the department had implemented further procedures since the beginning of the trouble last weekend.
This included a review of fire safety at all centres, including fire drill procedures, verification of assembly points and evacuation processes, daily checking of fire equipment and provision of additional breathing apparatus.
Strip searches have been conducted at Baxter which resulted in matches and lighters being confiscated which were not handed over voluntarily when requested previously. Further targeted searches will be conducted at other centres.
All centres have adequate capacity remaining to deal with current numbers.
Following is an overview of current situation at all centres:
Villawood
Fires and criminal damage at Villawood overnight have cost the taxpayer around a half a million dollars. This included damage to an administration block, a thwarted escape attempt where detainees attempted to ram a car through a perimeter fence and several fires which resulted in the loss of an accommodation block.
No injuries have been reported at this stage. The Australian Federal Police are on site investigating the incidents.
While the atmosphere is tense it is in control with NSW Police supporting increased numbers of ACM staff. Local fire crews are on standby.
Woomera
The centre was quiet overnight with staff on a heightened state of alert. South Australian Police are on hand to provide extra security with local fire authorities also on alert. Extra ACM officers have been rostered on to maintain the current calm at the centre.
The deliberate fires at Woomera have caused in excess of $2.5 million in damage with 33 accommodation blocks, 8 ablution blocks and 2 dining rooms destroyed in the blazes.
The Australian Federal Police are continuing their investigations.
Port Hedland
The centre was quiet overnight. The fire, late on Sunday, has caused an estimated $3 million damage, totally destroying an old accommodation block used for storage and medical facilities.
The Australian Federal Police will begin investigations at the centre by tomorrow.
ACM staff numbers have been boosted at the centre and augmented with the assistance of West Australian Police. Local fire and ambulance services are on alert.
Baxter
The centre continued to be quiet but tense overnight. The Baxter fire, which caused an estimated $2 million in damage, destroyed seventy-seven rooms. Forensic investigations by the Australian Federal Police are continuing at both sites.
Staff numbers at Baxter have been increased with South Australian Police providing extra security at the centre. The centre's two fire tenders along with a local fire unit are on standby.
Christmas Island
The centre was calm overnight.
Yesterday afternoon, detainees lit fires to destroy the dining facility and a number of tents used for accommodation after a previous fire destroyed the accommodation block a number of weeks ago. Detainees armed themselves with tent poles and blocked entrance gates to thwart staff attempting to control the blaze.
Local Australian Federal Police are working with centre staff to investigate the incident.
Maribyrnong in Melbourne and the Perth Airport centre
Both centres were quiet overnight with no damage reported. Extra staff are on duty with support from local police agencies.
Centre populations at 30 December
| Woomera | 121 |
| Baxter | 221 |
| Port Hedland | 146 |
| Villawood | 513 |
| Maribyrnong | 60 |
| Perth | 27 |
| Christmas Island | 45 |
1 January 2003
Media inquiries:
Public Affairs (02) 6264 2244 or 0419 442 000 (ah)