No riot inside a detention centre would be pleasant

John Howard

On Monday night, Australia's ABC television showed dramatic shots of a protest at the same centre last June.

The video shows asylum seekers smashing their heads against the walls of cells, and one person falling unconscious.

A male asylum seeker, his face covered in blood, is seen pleading with guards to explain why he is being detained.

But Mr Howard said the video did not show the whole truth.

"No riot inside a detention centre would be pleasant," he said. "But I am happy to support what is occurring."

He denied allegations that staff at Curtin had been unwilling to provide medical treatment to the detainees.

Weapons stockpile

Australia has come under fire from the United Nations and international human rights groups for its policy of detaining all illegal immigrants while their asylum claims are processed.

The authorities are cleaning up after the latest riots

There have been several riots at various camps in Australia, by detainees protesting at the length of time their applications have taken. Some immigrants can wait more than three years for a decision.

At Curtin camp on Tuesday, the authorities were searching for weapons and cleaning up after the latest protests. Most of the rioters have surrendered, handing in weapons ranging from knives and meat cleavers to lumps of concrete and a cricket bat.

But a small group, believed to be Iranians facing imminent deportation, are thought to be holding a stockpile of makeshift weapons.

The authorities claim the riot ringleaders were also involved in the mass escape from the Woomera camp in South Australia last month, before being transferred to Curtin.

The authorities are also keeping an eye on a second detention camp, Port Hedland in Western Australia, where detainees rioted on Monday.

The rioters tore down fences, damaged property and started a fire.

Earlier this month, ministers announced that Woomera is to be scaled down and Curtin camp closed altogether. Two new centres are being built.

The United Nations is to get greater powers to inspect detention camps under a new system approved on Monday.

A committee of 10 independent experts will be able to make visits without prior notice as part of an international convention.