Australian detention centres face safety warnings after violence and fires

Australia’s workplace safety regulator, Comcare, warned the federal government about safety risks at immigration detention centres in Melbourne and Villawood.

The centres are run by Secure Journeys, a local subsidiary of US company Management and Training Corporation.

At Melbourne’s centre, six detainees were hospitalised after a fight involving improvised weapons, and a detainee was later found overdosed.

Villawood had eight fire-related incidents between February and May.

Comcare said the government had not shown that existing safety measures were effective and warned it may be breaching workplace safety law.

The regulator said the risks could cause serious harm to workers and other people at the centres.

The government has previously tried to improve the contractor’s performance, including through financial penalties, but the documents say serious incidents have continued.