The extra powers were needed to discourage and better manage violent behavior, he told Federal Parliament. The violent actions of some detainees have endangered both other detainees and staff, and caused considerable damage to Commonwealth property. The proposed tough new law's first public airing came just hours after the latest detention centre riot - this one at the remote Curtin Detention Centre in Western Australia. In a rampage lasting nearly two hours, about 200 detainees lit fires that destroyed at least two buildings and knocked down fences. Police from Derby attended the scene but left after learning that no detainees had escaped.
Strip searches to be made in detention centres for the first time.
Three-year jail terms for detainees who have weapons. Detainees would be clearly advised of the nature and reason for a search, and only senior Immigration Department officers could authorise a strip search. It is a measure of last resort, to be used only in exceptional circumstances. When a strip search is to be conducted on a child aged 10 to 17, the child's parent or guardian must be in attendance. If that is not acceptable to the detainee, or not possible, the child must be represented by somebody else.