Prime Minister Julia Gillard has condemned the riots at Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre, warning detainees
that violence will not help their visa claims.
The federal government has announced an investigation into the riots at the centre that left several buildings in ruins.
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Ms Gillard on Thursday said she did not want to comment in detail on domestic matters while overseas.
"But I would say our general principle in this area is that violence doesn't get anyone anywhere," Ms Gillard told reporters in Tokyo.
"Violence is always wrong and anybody who thinks by acting in a violent way in a detention centre that they will get some advantage in terms of their claim is absolutely wrong."
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the rioters had already had their refugee claims rejected.
The Villawood violence comes just weeks after similarly violent protests at the Christmas Island detention centre.
