Advertisement

Abbott govt ‘wants immunity for refugee killings’

Proposed changes to Australia’s migration law would give detention centre guards the power to “to beat asylum seekers in detention to death”, a former judge has claimed.

Former Victorian Supreme Court judge Stephen Charles SC told the ABC the amendments would make it harder to legally punish security guards who inflicted harm.

• This is Bashir, the face of child detention
• Malcolm Turnbull defends ‘distinguished’ Triggs

“The way I put it was that the guards were authorised to beat asylum seekers in detention centres to death,” Mr Charles said on ABC’s PM program.

“Guards in detention centres will feel freer to exercise force, to use force against detainees on the ground that they’ve been told that they can do so where they think there is reasonable necessity.”

Asylum seekers

Reza Berati was killed in riots on Manus Island. Photo: AAP

His comments come as Senate hearings consider new laws to maintain order at detention centres, and follow the death of Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati during a 2014 riot on Manus Island.

Mr Charles told the Senate committee that training for security contractors was “hopelessly inadequate”.

Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs said there were occasions when private security contractors needed to use force, but baulked at them being given wider police powers.

“Contracted detention service providers, for practical purposes, the Serco guards, are not police officers,” Ms Triggs told the Senate hearing.

“They should not be given wider powers or greater discretion. And there should be clearly defined limits to the power of contractors to use force.

“Force should be a measure of last resort, it should be used only for the shortest amount of time necessary, it should never be cruel, inhuman or degrading,” she said.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.