Police probe Christmas Island assaults

23 May 2011, 11:18 am   -   Source: AAP
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An Australian Federal Police spokesman said investigations into the assaults were under way but no charges had yet been laid. (Getty)

An Australian Federal Police spokesman said investigations into the assaults were under way but no charges had yet been laid. (Getty)

Police are investigating two alleged assaults by detainees on security staff at the Christmas Island immigration detention centre.

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Australian Federal Police are investigating two alleged assaults by detainees on security staff at the Christmas Island immigration detention centre.

The two separate incidents on Friday at the Northwest Point facility followed an altercation earlier in the day involving around 40 detainees, an Immigration Department spokesman said on Monday.

That altercation was quickly brought under control with the help of police, the spokesman said.

He said the assaults were unconnected to the altercation, and resulted in one security officer suffering minor injuries and another sustaining more serious injuries requiring treatment at Christmas Island's hospital.

The spokesman did not detail the injuries but it is understood an angry detainee threw a jug of boiling water over an officer.

An Australian Federal Police spokesman said investigations into the assaults were under way but no charges had yet been laid.

The immigration spokesman said that following Friday's incidents, detainees had been reminded of Immigration Minister Chris Bowen's recent "announcements regarding behaviour expectations" at detention centres.

Following destructive riots on Christmas Island in March and at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney in April, Mr Bowen signalled tougher measures to deter violent behaviour.

Under proposed legislation introduced earlier this month, anyone convicted of a criminal offence while in immigration detention may be refused a visa or have a visa cancelled.

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Your Comments

Too right - enough is enough

Bob - from Melbourne, 1 year

Apparently it's ok for refugees to come to our country to blow up buildings, jump the cue, disrespect our Aussie customs, tell us that were bad people, tell us what to do - have I missed anything? When I have been to other countries, I have bent over backwards to try and respect there customs, but in Australia - respecting us does not apply? Enough is enough, if refugees / asylum seekers don't want to be an Aussie, then I am happy to show them the door!

Enough

Shagger - from CI, 1 year

So many incidents and they all get visas or community detention. Why aren't they charged by the police? If this kind of altercation, bad behaviour and aggression happens in the community parties will be charged. Who is preventing SERCO and staff from charging them? If they commit crime they must pay for it. We are doing no one a favor by not acting. There must be consequences for their action. We don't want these kinds of people in the community. Let’s not make excuses - deport them NOW!

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